Esmolol, commonly marketed under the trade name Brevibloc, is a cardioselective beta-1 receptor blocker. It has a rapid onset but short duration of action without causing significant intrinsic sympathomimetic or membrane stabilizing activities at recommended therapeutic doses. It works by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, which leads to decreased force and rate of heart contractions. Esmolol prevents the action of two naturally occurring substances: epinephrine and norepinephrine.
The FDA withdrew its approval for the use of all parenteral dosage form drug products containing esmolol hydrochloride that supply 250 milligrams/milliliter of concentrated esmolol per 10-milliliter ampule. Other esmolol formulations are still available for use.
For the rapid control of ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter in perioperative, postoperative, or other emergent circumstances where short term control of ventricular rate with a short-acting agent is desirable. Also used in noncompensatory sinus tachycardia where the rapid heart rate requires specific intervention.
Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
University Heatlh Network, Toronto General Hopsital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
AOP contract research facility, Pilsen, Czech Republic
Montreal General Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive care of the University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States
Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
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