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European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation ... - CPR

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Anti-arrhythmicsThere is no evidence to support the use of anti-arrhythmic prophylaxisafter ACS. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) accounts <strong>for</strong> mostof the early deaths from ACS; the incidence of VF is highest in thefirst hours after onset of symptoms. This explains why numerousstudies have been per<strong>for</strong>med with the aim of demonstrating theprophylactic effect of antiarrhythmic therapy [107]. The effects ofantiarrhythmic drugs (lidocaine, magnesium, disopyramide, mexiletine,verapamil, sotalol, and tocainamide) given prophylacticallyto patients with ACS have been studied. Prophylaxis with lidocainereduces the incidence of VF but may increase mortality [108]. Routinetreatment with magnesium in patients with AMI does notimprove mortality. Arrhythmia prophylaxis using disopyramide,mexiletine, verapamil, or other anti-arrhythmics given within thefirst hours of an ACS does not improve mortality. There<strong>for</strong>e prophylacticanti-arrhythmics are not recommended.Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensinreceptor blockersOral ACE inhibitors reduce mortality when given to patientswith AMI with or without early reperfusion therapy. The beneficialeffects are most pronounced in patients presenting with anteriorinfarction, pulmonary congestion or left ventricular ejectionfraction

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