Which drug can be used to combat bradycardia?

• A. Epinephrine
• B. Lidocaine
• C. Atropine
• D. Amlodipine

Answer: (C)

When the heart slows due to strong parasympathetic (vagal) input, you want to reduce that vagal influence to restore the heart rate. Atropine is an anticholinergic that blocks muscarinic receptors on the SA and AV nodes, removing the vagal braking and allowing the pacemaker to fire faster and conduction to improve. This makes atropine the first-line choice for treating bradycardia in many anesthesia and veterinary scenarios.

Epinephrine can raise heart rate by stimulating adrenergic receptors, but it’s typically reserved for resuscitation or severe, unresponsive bradycardia and brings broader effects. Lidocaine targets ventricular arrhythmias, not bradycardia. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that can slow heart rate and blood pressure, so it would worsen bradycardia rather than correct it.