titration of cardiac IV drips

[wrkoutgirl]

Hi all. Where is the best place to find accurate information on titrating cardiac IV drips. Some places have a standard protocol for Natrecor or so on. I need for all of them. It is important that we improve the safety when infusssing this medications. I know there are books for IV medications in general. Is there a more explicit refference and to the point that I can print in one page just like the ones for Heparin and Nitrecor. Thank you,

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

I don't know of anything like what you are asking for. I can only offer that titration should be based on the half-life of the drug, and the effect it has within that time frame.

In the CT unit I worked in, docs ordered titration, or weaning, of inotropes as 1 drop per hour for Cardiac index > 2.5. We generally did not have free range to increase inotropes, though at a different hospital I worked at we did, but there was no protocol and it was haphazard. But that's another story.

[hollyster]

emsguides.com has a pocket size ACLS-Critical Care reference book it has drip titration charts. It is the BEST!!!!! reference that I have ever seen. I even gave one to every new nurse that came into the unit. They are $19.95 plus s&h. If I could only have one reference this would be it. I do not recommend the PDA version it is not as comprehensive or as easy to use as the pocket version. It covers almost everything that you would need in the field,ER or Unit.

[wrkoutgirl]

emsguides.com has a pocket size ACLS-Critical Care reference book it has drip titration charts. It is the BEST!!!!! reference that I have ever seen. I even gave one to every new nurse that came into the unit. They are $19.95 plus s&h. If I could only have one reference this would be it. I do not recommend the PDA version it is not as comprehensive or as easy to use as the pocket version. It covers almost everything that you would need in the field,ER or Unit.

thank you so much.