Resuscitation
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Catecholamines during cardiopulmonary resuscitation for cardiac arrest.
Serum catecholamines were measured during continued prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation and after 10 mg increments of intravenous epinephrine. This was part of an ongoing trial of 10 mg epinephrine versus placebo. Eight patients were in the placebo arm and seven in the epinephrine arm and the rhythms were two ventricular fibrillation, nine asystole and four electromechanical dissociation. ⋯ It provides data on the other neurotransmitter hormones and supports the relationships shown in other animal and human data. It is suggested that supplementation with epinephrine during CPR may be unnecessary and the levels reached may be deleterious. Nor-adrenaline supplementation may be necessary after prolonged CPR.