What is "esmolol"

n. A cardioselective beta blocker.

n. intravenous beta blocker (trade name Brevibloc) that acts for only a short time; used primarily for cardiac arrhythmias [syn: Brevibloc]

Esmolol (trade name Brevibloc) is a cardioselective beta receptor blocker with rapid onset, a very short duration of action, and no significant intrinsic sympathomimetic or membrane stabilising activity at therapeutic dosages.

It is a class II antiarrhythmic. Esmolol decreases the force and rate of heart contractions by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system, which are found in the heart and other organs of the body. Esmolol prevents the action of two naturally occurring substances: epinephrine and norepinephrine.