Epinephrine and Cardiac Arrest: The Catch-22

Authors

Shaina Friedman

Abstract

Epinephrine has been a standard of care treatment for cardiac arrest for the last century; however, the use of epinephrine began without a significant amount of research. In recent years, many have started to question whether epinephrine is an appropriate treatment for cardiac arrest. While epinephrine causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels and directs much-needed blood flow to the heart, it has also been shown to harm the microvessels of the brain, causing ischemia and neurological damage. Many trials, studies, and surveys were conducted to determine the correct course of action involving the use of epinephrine during cardiac arrest. Additional trials were performed comparing epinephrine and other treatments, such as vasopressin or basic life support alone. The general conclusion is that epinephrine increases survival in patients at the expense of neurological function. Ultimately, many patients suffer from post-cardiac arrest syndrome and warrant various therapies. For lack of a better alternative, epinephrine will continue to be used at large. This paper is a critical analysis of the available data regarding the use of epinephrine, the numerous related trials, and its long-term effects on quality of life.

Recommended Citation

Shaina Friedman. (2023). Epinephrine and Cardiac Arrest: The Catch-22. The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences, 17(1), 5-13. Retrieved from https://touroscholar.touro.edu/sjlcas/vol17/iss1/2