Successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation using high doses of epinephrine.
Cardiac arrest usually carries a bleak prognosis when occurring in patients who have undergone open heart surgery. We report two cases where cardiac arrest was not responsive to routine therapies. Doses of epinephrine 5-10 times higher than recommended were able to provide a resolution, and the patients were discharged in a normal neurological state.
Cipolotti
G
G
2nd Servizio di Anestesia e Rianimazione, Ospedale S. Maria dei Battuti, Treviso, Italy.
Paccagnella
A
A
Simini
G
G
D000368:Aged; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D004837:Epinephrine