title: Erythropoietin administration facilitates return of spontaneous circulation and improves survival in a pig model of cardiac arrest.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In addition to its role in the endogenous control of erythropoiesis, recombinant human erythropoietin (rh-EPO) has been shown to exert tissue protective properties in various experimental models. However, its role in the cardiac arrest (CA) setting has not yet been adequately investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to examine the effect of rh-EPO in a pig model of ventricular fibrillation (VF)-induced CA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ventricular fibrillation was electrically induced in 20 piglets and maintained untreated for 8 minutes before attempting resuscitation. Animals were randomized to receive rh-EPO (5000 IU/kg, erythropoietin [EPO] group, n = 10) immediately before the initiation of chest compressions or to receive 0.9% Sodium chloride solution instead (control group, n = 10).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the control, the EPO group had higher rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (100% vs 60%, P = .011) and higher 48-hour survival (100% vs 40%, P = .001). Diastolic aortic pressure and coronary perfusion pressure during cardiopulmonary resuscitation were significantly higher in the EPO group compared with the control group. Erythropoietin-treated animals required fewer number of shocks in comparison with animals that received normal saline (P = .04). Furthermore, the neurologic alertness score was higher in the EPO group compared with that of the control group at 24 (P = .004) and 48 hours (P = .021).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of rh-EPO in a pig model of VF-induced CA just before reperfusion facilitates ROSC and improves survival rates as well as hemodynamic variables.
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation", Athens, Greece; Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: panagiotis.vasileiou@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Panagiotis V S
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Vasileiou
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation", Athens, Greece; Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xanthos
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation", Athens, Greece; Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barouxis
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation", Athens, Greece; Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pantazopoulos
authors.affiliation: Experimental-Research Centre ELPEN, Athens Greece.
authors.forename: Apostolos E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Papalois
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation", Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Paulos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lelovas
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Olympia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kotsilianou
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation", Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Paraskevi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pliatsika
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Aretaieio Hospital, Department of Biopathology-Microbiology, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Evaggelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kouskouni
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Athens, Greece; National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Aretaieio Hospital, 2nd Department of Ob&Gyn, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iacovidou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001775:Blood Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin