title: Effect of amiodarone on haemodynamics during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a canine model of resistant ventricular fibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Amiodarone has been shown to be superior to both placebo and lidocaine in improving survival to hospital admission for victims of out-of-hospital refractory ventricular fibrillation. Concern had been expressed about the known vasodilatatory effects of amiodarone if given without precedent vasoconstrictive medications. The haemodynamic effects of intravenous amiodarone administered during ongoing CPR have not been systemically investigated. Our intention was to verify if amiodarone alone produced significantly lower resuscitation haemodynamics than did either adrenaline (epinephrine) alone or the combination of amiodarone and adrenaline.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, comparative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research laboratory of a medical school.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty mongrel dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  After 8 min of untreated VF, defibrillation was attempted once at 3 J/kg and external chest compressions and ventilation started. Those animals resistant to the defibrillation attempt were randomized, ten to an adrenaline (0.02 mg/kg) group, ten to an amiodarone (5 mg/kg) group, and ten to a group receiving a combination of both drugs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aortic systolic and diastolic, and coronary perfusion pressures were all significantly lower in the group receiving amiodarone alone than in the other two groups. Amiodarone combined with adrenaline produced pressures during CPR similar to adrenaline alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Amiodarone can be safely administered simultaneously in combination with adrenaline and such a combination results in similar haemodynamic support as adrenaline alone. Amiodarone administered alone produces significantly lower coronary perfusion pressure than when combined with adrenaline.
authors.affiliation: Heart Institute, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, CEP 05411-001, SP, São Paulo, Brazil. edison.paiva@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Edison F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Paiva
authors.forename: Maria Beatriz M
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Perondi
authors.forename: Karl B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Timerman
authors.forename: Luiz F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: José Antonio F
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ramirez
mesh_terms: D000638:Amiodarone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D004285:Dogs; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D011897:Random Allocation; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000638:Amiodarone; D004837:Epinephrine