INTRODUCTION 
Epinephrine is an established vasopressor and the primary drug administrated during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study evaluates the influence of epinephrine on coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), mean atrial pressure (MAP) and end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) in our rat VF CPR model.

METHODS
Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (400g) were randomized to CPR with (n=15) and without epinephrine (n=10). After 6 minutes of untreated cardiac arrest (CA) study animals were resuscitated with mechanical chest compressions, ventilations and defibrillations. In the epinephrine group, epinephrine 10 micrograms per kilogram were administered every two minutes. Mean atrial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP) and ETCO2 were continuously monitored and calculated for the first two minutes of CPR. Mean CPP was calculated as difference between MAP and CVP. 

RESULTS 
During CPR the mean CPP ± SD was significantly higher in animals resuscitated with epinephrine than without epinephrine (38. ± 8. vs. 23 ± 4  p < 0.01). The epinephrine group showed also significantly higher MAP values (45 ± 8  vs. 25 ± 6 p < 0.01). The mean ETCO2 was higher in the no epinephrine group (42  ± 8. vs. 32  ± 6  p = 0.052). Detailed course of parameters are presented in the graph.

CONCLUSION
 As seen in given literature epinephrine increases organ perfusion in our 6 minutes VF cardiac arrest rat model. Interestingly, ETCO2 reacted inversely and was lower in the group without epinephrine.

7 - Epinephrine during CPR significantly increases organ perfusion in a rat VF cardiac arrest model