Electrophysiologic basis by which epinephrine facilitates defibrillation after prolonged episodes of ventricular fibrillation.
OBJECTIVE
Even though epinephrine has been shown to decrease the electrical stability of the heart, it is used extensively in cardiac resuscitation. The objective of this study is to document electrophysiologic parameters of epinephrine, which would facilitate defibrillation.


METHODS
In 20 swine, electrically induced ventricular fibrillation was allowed to continue for 10 minutes. Animals were then randomly assigned to receive either intracardiac injection of 1 mg of epinephrine or 10 mL of normal saline solution. Synchronization and dispersion of the repolarization of fibrillatory waves and cycle length were measured.


RESULTS
As the ventricular fibrillation continued, cycle length was prolonged, and synchronization and dispersion deteriorated. With epinephrine, cycle length shortened from 416+/-21 to 204+/-23 ms (P<.005), synchronization improved from 114+/-13 to 61+/-10 ms (P<.05), and dispersion narrowed from 84+/-10 to 49+/-8 ms (P<.005). Normal saline solution had no effect. Successful resuscitation was achieved in all 10 animals administered epinephrine and only 1 animal in the saline solution group.


CONCLUSIONS
Epinephrine's effect on cycle length, synchronization, and dispersion of repolarization of fibrillatory waves may be the mechanism with which it facilitates defibrillation.
Suddath
W O
WO
Division of Cardiology, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Deychak
Y
Y
Varghese
P J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D013552:Swine; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology*
D004837:Epinephrine