Pharmacologically induced hypothermia with cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55, 212-2 after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether hypothermia could be induced pharmacologically after resuscitation with the cannabinoid CB1/CB2 receptor agonist in a rat model and its effects on outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled experimental study.

SETTING

University-affiliated animal research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Ten healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats.

INTERVENTIONS

Ventricular fibrillation was induced and untreated for 6 mins. Defibrillation was attempted after 8 mins of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Thirty minutes after resuscitation, animals were randomized to receive either WIN55, 212-2 (1.0 mg/kg/hr) or vehicle placebo (1.4 mL/kg/hr) for 6 hrs. Before infusion, the temperature was maintained at 37°C in all the animals with the help of a heating lamp. The same temperature environment was maintained for both groups after infusion.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Hemodynamic measurements and cardiac output, ejection fraction, and myocardial performance index were measured at baseline and hourly for 6 hrs after resuscitation. Survival time up to 72 hrs was observed.

RESULTS

Blood temperature decreased progressively after infusion of WIN55, 212-2 from 37°C to 34°C 4 hrs after resuscitation. There was no significant change in blood temperature after 6 hrs of placebo infusion of the same volume and same infusate temperature. Significantly better postresuscitation myocardial function and longer durations of survival were observed in WIN55, 212-2-treated animals.

CONCLUSIONS

The selective cannabinoid agonist, WIN55, 212-2, produced a significant reduction in blood temperature and improved postresuscitation myocardial functions and survival after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The study results may provide a further option for early and effective induction of therapeutic hypothermia in settings of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.