General Description
Bretylium tosylate is a class III antiarrhythmic agent that also exhibits class II (antiadrenergic) properties, used primarily in emergency settings for the treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. It is administered intravenously or intramuscularly and acts by suppressing ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. The drug is a quaternary ammonium compound that accumulates in sympathetic ganglia and nerve terminals.
Mechanism of Action
Bretylium initially causes release of norepinephrine from adrenergic nerve endings, transiently increasing heart rate and blood pressure. This is followed by blockade of norepinephrine release, resulting in chemical sympathectomy. The antiarrhythmic effect is due to prolongation of the cardiac action potential duration and refractory period in the ventricles, suppressing reentry circuits. It also raises the ventricular fibrillation threshold.
Application
It is indicated for the treatment of ventricular fibrillation and hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia that is unresponsive to other antiarrhythmics, particularly in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. However, its use has declined significantly due to the availability of more effective and safer agents such as amiodarone. It remains available as a second-line agent in advanced cardiac life support protocols.