[Drugs for cardiac arrest]

Presse Med. 2008 Jun;37(6 Pt 2):1079-84. doi: 10.1016/j.lpm.2008.02.012. Epub 2008 Apr 23.
[Article in French]

Abstract

After publication of the 2005 international recommendations on resuscitation, a French panel of experts on cardiac arrest published guidelines adapted to French practice. Despite the absence of placebo-controlled trials, adrenaline remains the standard vasopressor for cardiac arrest, at a dose of 1 mg about every 4 minutes. Amiodarone has replaced lidocaine in treatment of refractory ventricular fibrillation.No other drug is indicated during cardiopulmonary resuscitation,except for particular causes of cardiac arrest. Fibrinolysis should be considered only for cardiac arrest due to pulmonary embolism. Isotonic saline solution is recommended for infusions, and routine administration of sodium bicarbonate is not recommended. Intravenous access is necessary, but when unavailable rapidly,intraosseous is preferred to endotracheal delivery in adults and children

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Heart Arrest / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vasoconstrictor Agents