Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) Practice Exam

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What is a common medication used in bradycardia management to increase heart rate?

Atropine
Metoprolol
Aspirin
Diltiazem

The correct answer is: Atropine

Atropine is commonly used in the management of bradycardia because it is an anticholinergic drug that acts on the heart to increase the heart rate. It works by blocking the effects of acetylcholine on the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces vagal tone and allows for greater adrenergic activity in the heart. This leads to an increased heart rate, making it a first-line treatment option in acute bradycardia situations, particularly in symptomatic patients. Other medications listed, such as metoprolol and diltiazem, are typically used to manage conditions associated with increased heart rates or to control heart rate in tachycardia by slowing down cardiac conduction. These are not suitable for bradycardia as they would further decrease the heart rate. Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication that is not used for bradycardia management at all, as it is aimed at reducing the risk of thromboembolic events rather than influencing heart rate.