Vasopressin improves survival in a pig model of hypothermic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
OBJECTIVE
During hypothermic cardiopulmonary resuscitation with a body core temperature <30 degrees C administration of a vasopressor to support coronary perfusion pressure is controversial. The purpose of the current study was to assess the effects of a single 0.4-unit/kg dose of vasopressin on coronary perfusion pressure, defibrillation success, and 1-hr survival in a pig model of hypothermic closed-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation combined with rewarming.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized study in an established pig model.


METHODS
University hospital research laboratory.


METHODS
Fifteen 12- to 16-wk-old domestic pigs.


METHODS
Pigs were surface cooled to a body core temperature of 26 degrees C and ventricular fibrillation was induced. After 15 mins of untreated cardiac arrest, manual closed-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation and thoracic lavage with 40 degrees C warmed tap water were started. After 3 mins of external chest compression, animals were assigned randomly to receive vasopressin (0.4 units/kg, n = 8; or saline placebo, n = 7). Defibrillation was attempted 10 mins after drug administration.


RESULTS
Compared with saline placebo treated-animals, coronary perfusion pressure in vasopressin-treated pigs was significantly higher 90 secs (36 +/- 5 mm Hg vs. 7 +/- 4 mm Hg, p =.000) to 10 mins (24 +/- 4 mm Hg vs. 8 +/- 4 mm Hg, p =.000) after drug administration. Restoration of spontaneous circulation and 1 hr survival were significantly higher in vasopressin animals compared with saline placebo (8 of 8 vasopressin pigs vs. 0 of 7 placebo pigs, p <.001).


CONCLUSIONS
A single 0.4-unit/kg dose of vasopressin administered at a body core temperature <30 degrees C significantly improved defibrillation success and 1-hr survival in a pig model of hypothermic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Schwarz
Birgit
B
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Leopold-Franzens-University, Innsbruck, Austria. birgit.schwarz@uibk.ac.at
Mair
Peter
P
Raedler
Claus
C
Deckert
Diana
D
Wenzel
Volker
V
Lindner
Karl H
KH
D000818:Animals; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D017694:Rewarming; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007773:Lactates; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014667:Vasopressins