Atropine test

packed ampoule with atropine

The atropine test (also: atropine test ) consists of administering atropine to humans or other mammals, usually intravenously , and observing an increase in the heart rate that is to be expected in healthy individuals , which is one of the main effects of the parasympatholytic is and can also be absent in pathological conditions.

Use in bradycardia

For the differential diagnosis of bradycardias in dogs, 0.02 to 0.04 mg of atropine per kg of body weight are injected subcutaneously . The heart rate is then monitored for 45 to 60 minutes. The expected heart rate is 140 to 200 beats per minute. If this increase is missing or if it is only moderate with 70 to 130 beats per minute, it can be concluded that a sick sinus syndrome is present. In humans, the heart rate usually increases by more than 50% after an intravenous dose of 0.5 to 2 mg. If it increases by less than 25% or does not rise above 90 beats per minute, this is taken as an indication of a malfunction of the sinus node .

Application in brain death diagnostics

The atropine test is an optional, i.e. not absolutely necessary, neither sufficient nor necessary, supplementary aid in the diagnosis of brain death . It is not included in the protocol for determining brain death . If brain death syndrome is suspected, 0.5 to 2 mg of atropine is administered intravenously. A lack of heart rate increase suggests denervation of the heart and destruction of the parasympathetic vagus nuclei in the lower brain stem . This does not prove brain death, but an increase in heart rate rules it out.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Ernst-Günther Grünbaum (Ed.): Clinic of Dog Diseases: 257 tables . Georg Thieme, Stuttgart 2007, ISBN 978-3-8304-1021-8 , p. 434 f . ( limited preview in Google Book search).
2. ^ ^{A b c} Holger Thiel, Norbert Roewer: Anesthesiological pharmacotherapy: from the basics of pharmacology to drug practice . Georg Thieme, Stuttgart 2014, ISBN 978-3-13-159283-5 , p. 283 ( limited preview in Google Book search).
3. ↑ Guidelines for Determining Brain Death. Scientific Advisory Board of the German Medical Association, 1997, PDF
4. ↑ Fuat Oduncu: Brain Death and Organ Transplantation: Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues . Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 1998, ISBN 3-525-45822-3 , pp. 58 ( limited preview in Google Book search).
5. ↑ Hilmar Prange (Ed.): Neurological Intensive Care Medicine: Practical Guide for Neurological Intensive Care Wards and Stroke Units . Georg Thieme, Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-13-129821-9 , p. 321 ( limited preview in Google Book search).

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !