[New standards for catecholamine therapy in cardiopulmonary resuscitation? Results of a modified application in a resuscitation model]

Abstract

Using a standardized porcine CPR-model (3 min of cardiac arrest induced by ventricular fibrillation) the effects of epinephrine (10 micrograms/kg iv, 50 micrograms/kg iv, 100 micrograms/kg endobronchially, eb) and norepinephrine (10 micrograms/kg iv, 100 micrograms/kg eb) on resuscitability and early post-resuscitation haemodynamics were compared. Success rate was 100% after epinephrine 10 micrograms/kg iv and 100 micrograms/kg eb, 75% after epinephrine 50 micrograms/kg iv, 80% after norepinephrine iv and 60% after norepinephrine eb. In an unmedicated control group 50% of all animals were successfully resuscitated. Early post-resuscitation haemodynamics in the high dose epinephrine group were characterized by tachycardia and progredient myocardial failure, while in the norepinephrine groups a low cardiac output was accompanied by small cardiac stroke volumes and an increased vascular resistance. It is concluded that iv or eb epinephrine given in standard doses has still to be considered as the drug therapy of choice after short term cardiac arrest or in the presence of ventricular fibrillation. Before different drugs or dosing strategies can be recommended, further experimental and clinical validation is required.