Final answer:
The first line treatment for symptomatic bradycardia often includes the administration of atropine, with transcutaneous pacing as an alternative if pharmacological methods fail. In some cases, a pacemaker may be necessary for long-term management or immediate revascularization in the case of acute myocardial ischemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first line treatment for a patient experiencing symptomatic bradycardia typically involves immediate measures to increase the heart rate and improve cardiac output. Since bradycardia indicates a slower than normal heart rate, treatments may include the administration of atropine which can increase heart rate by blocking vagal influences on the heart. If pharmacological treatment is ineffective and the patient is hemodynamically unstable, transcutaneous pacing might be necessary. In situations where bradycardia is caused by external factors such as an overdose of beta blockers, specific antidotes or treatments should be administered. For long-term management, and if bradycardia is due to intrinsic cardiac problems such as SA or AV node dysfunction, inserting a pacemaker may be required. Additionally, in instances of acute myocardial ischemia or infarction that causes symptomatic bradycardia, prompt revascularization may be indicated to restore proper cardiac function.