D. Cardiovascular: Atropine

Cardiovascular: Atropine produces divergent effects on the cardiovascular system, depending on the dose. At low doses, the predominant effect is a decreased cardiac rate (bradycardia). Originally thought to be due to central activation of vagal efferent outflow, the effect is now known to result from blockade of the M1 receptors on the inhibitory prejunctional (or presynaptic) neurons, thus permitting increased ACh release. With higher doses of atropine, the M2 receptors on the sinoatrial node are blocked, and the cardiac rate increases modestly. This generally requires at least 1 mg of atropine, which is a higher dose than ordinarily given. Arterial blood pressure is unaffected, but, at toxic levels, atropine will dilate the cutaneous vasculature.