Intramuscular adrenaline to improve outcomes following cardiac arrest - An experimental porcine study.

AIM: To investigate early intramuscular adrenaline as an add-on treatment for cardiac arrest in a clinically relevant porcine model. We hypothesized that intramuscular adrenaline would improve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) compared to placebo.

METHODS

36 pigs (38-42 kg) were subjected to hypoxia induced cardiac arrest for 3.5 min. During resuscitation, the pigs were randomized to either 0.125 mg/kg (0.125 mL/kg) intramuscular adrenaline or placebo 0.125 mL/kg normal saline. Both groups underwent basic life support followed by advanced life support including intravenous adrenaline 5 min after intramuscular adrenaline. Pigs achieving ROSC underwent one hour of intensive care. The primary outcome was ROSC.

RESULTS

The ROSC rate was 4/18 (22 %) in the placebo group and 4/18 (22 %) in the intervention group (OR = 1.00 95 %CI [0.15;6.55], p = 1.00). There was no difference in coronary perfusion pressure or cerebral oxygen tension (difference: 0.71 mmHg [95 %CI: -7.25; 8.67], p = 0.86 difference: 3.0 mmHg [95 %CI: -7.68; 13.69], p = 0.57). Adrenaline blood concentrations were significantly higher in the intervention group 30 min (difference: 9.44 nmol/L [95 %CI: 3.42; 15.5] p = 0.009) and 60 min after ROSC (difference: 15.9 nmol/L [95 %CI: 8.51; 23.4] p = 0.002). There was a significantly higher cardiac output in the intervention group 60 min after ROSC (difference: 2.58 L/min [95 %CI: 0.78; 4.37] p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Early intramuscular injection of adrenaline 5 min prior to intravenous adrenaline did not increase the ROSC rate but resulted in a prolonged absorption with higher adrenaline levels at 30 and 60 min after ROSC.