BACKGROUND: The more vital organ blood flow during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the more successful outcome. The worldwide CPR drug of choice, epinephrine also has some limitations and is often challenged by another catecholamine drug. This study was designed to compare the effects of epinephrine with those of vasopressin and epinephrine mixture on cerebral no-reflow during closed-chest CPR in a rabbit model of ventricular fibrillation. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, experimental study. SETTING: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Domestic rabbits,3 to 6 months of age InteNentions : Four rabbits were randomly allocated to receive only 0.020 mg/kg of epinephrine(group 1) and another four rabbits were received both 0.020 mg/kg of epinephrine and 0.8 U/kg of vasopressin after 5 mins of cardiac arrest(group 2). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Carotid arterial blood flow and arterial gas analysis were showed no statistical difference between two groups but in the points of cerebral no reflow area and fluorescence exposure time, there were significant differences(group 1,5.15+/-.45%, group 2, 6.38+/-.54%, p=.029/ group 1; 29.65+/- 17.09 seconds, group 2;17.98+/- 18.75 seconds, p=.014). CONCLUSIONS: In cardiac arrest there is some synergistic effect with epinephrine and vasopressin mixture on cerebral no-reflow phenomenon.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Epinephrine* ; Fluorescence ; Heart Arrest ; No-Reflow Phenomenon ; Prospective Studies ; Rabbits ; Vasopressins* ; Ventricular Fibrillation