Which treatment would be least effective for asystole?: (A) External pacemaker, (B) Intravenous epinephrine, 10 ml. of 1:10,000., (C) Intravenous calcium gluconate, 10 ml. of 10% solution, (D) Intravenous atropine, 0.5 mg.
Answer is C. Recommended treatment for asystole is administration of atropine. If atropine is unsuccessful epinephrine is given. Ultimately cardiac pacing is necessary if atropine and epinephrine do not establish an adequate heart rate. Calcium has no clear role in treating asystole.