emic afterload will begin to decrease cardiac output (6:51). This is compensated for, however, by the potent alpha 1 adrenergic agonist effects which maintain systemic pressure and perfusion after other agents have failed (6:51).
In cases of anaphylactic shock where the immune system has over reacted to an antigenic stimulation (9:296), epinephrine also should be administered (6:61). In addition to producing vasoconstriction and a concomitant rise in blood pressure, it inhibits the release of histamine and leukotriene from mast cells (6:65). Furthermore, its beta 2 adrenergic effects cause relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and a reversal of bronchoconstriction (6:61).
In addition, epinephrine is the traditional treatment of choice for another condition commonly seen in emergency departments acute, severe asthma (6:97). Asthma is characterized by increased sensitivity of the trachea and bronchi with airflow limitation caused by smooth muscle contraction (6:96). The beta 2 adrenergic effects of subcutaneous epinephrine (6:97) and more recently, albu
...