Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) Practice Exam

The indication of Isuprel (isoproterenol) for brain dead donors with bradycardia stems from its pharmacological properties as a non-selective beta-adrenergic agonist. Isuprel primarily stimulates beta-1 receptors in the heart, leading to an increase in heart rate and improving cardiac output, which is crucial in the management of bradycardia that can occur in brain dead donors.

When a patient is brain dead, the innate regulatory mechanisms of the body, including those that typically maintain heart rate and blood pressure, may be lost or severely impaired. Using Isuprel helps to counteract these issues by effectively increasing heart rate through its sympathetic stimulation. This is particularly important in the context of organ donation, where maintaining hemodynamic stability is essential for the viability of the organs for transplantation.

Other options like Albuterol and Atrovent are primarily used for their effects on bronchial smooth muscle and are not indicated for bradycardia management. While Epinephrine can also increase heart rate and is used in certain clinical emergencies, Isuprel’s specific role in treating bradycardia makes it a more appropriate choice in this particular scenario involving brain dead donors.