Effect of terlipressin on circulatory parameters in prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an animal model of ventricular fibrillation

Abstract

The experimental study was designed to compare effect of terlipressin with placebo on vital organ perfusion when added to adrenaline in ventricular fibrillation. Fourteen domestic pigs were randomly assigned into two groups and given either terlipressin or placebo to adrenaline.

Coronary and cerebral perfusion pressures were calculated from right atrial, aortic and intracerebral pressures. Early addition of terlipressin to adrenaline increased both coronary and cerebral perfusion pressures in this animal model of prolonged ventricular fibrillation respecting timing of procedures known from out-of-hospital environment.

Keywords

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Cardiac arrest
• Terlipressin
• Vasopressor therapy
• Cerebral perfusion pressure
• Coronary perfusion pressure
• Ventricular fibrillation