Overdose from beta-blocker or calcium channel blocker causing bradycardia is treated with which agent?

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Multiple Choice

Overdose from beta-blocker or calcium channel blocker causing bradycardia is treated with which agent?

Glucagon works here because it bypasses blocked beta-adrenergic receptors to stimulate the heart. It binds its own receptors on cardiac cells and raises intracellular cAMP, which increases heart rate and contractility independent of normal sympathetic signaling. In beta-blocker overdose, this directly counteracts the bradycardia and hypotension that result from receptor blockade. In calcium channel blocker overdose, glucagon can still help by boosting cardiac output when calcium influx is impaired, acting as an adjunct to other therapies. Because of its receptor-independent mechanism that improves chronotropy and inotropy, glucagon is the best single agent for this scenario.

Glucagon works here because it bypasses blocked beta-adrenergic receptors to stimulate the heart. It binds its own receptors on cardiac cells and raises intracellular cAMP, which increases heart rate and contractility independent of normal sympathetic signaling. In beta-blocker overdose, this directly counteracts the bradycardia and hypotension that result from receptor blockade. In calcium channel blocker overdose, glucagon can still help by boosting cardiac output when calcium influx is impaired, acting as an adjunct to other therapies. Because of its receptor-independent mechanism that improves chronotropy and inotropy, glucagon is the best single agent for this scenario.

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