The comparative effects of epinephrine versus phenylephrine on regional cerebral blood flow during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Epinephrine in larger doses than currently recommended during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been shown to improve cerebral blood flow (CBF) following a 10-min arrest in a swine model. The purpose of this pilot study was to measure CBF during CPR, comparing high-dose epinephrine to a pure alpha-1 agonist, phenylephrine. Ten swine each weighing greater than 15 kg, were instrumented for regional CBF measurements using tracer microspheres. CBF was measured during normal sinus rhythm (NSR). Following 10 min of ventricular fibrillation, CPR was begun and regional CBF was again measured. Following 3 min of CPR, the swine were randomized to receive either epinephrine (0.2 mg/kg), or phenylephrine (0.1 mg/kg), through a peripheral intravenous line. Regional CBF was again measured 1 min after drug administration. Regional CBF following drug administration was compared using an analysis of covariance. Adjusted CBFs are expressed in ml/min per 100 g for epinephrine and phenylephrine, respectively: left cerebral cortex (12.5 vs. 2.3, P = 0.002); right cerebral cortex (13.0 vs. 2.8, P = 0.003); cerebellum (32.9 vs. 4.1, P = 0.004); midbrain (35.7 vs. 2.6, P = 0.0004), pons (30.3 vs. 2.9, P = O.006); medulla (49.5 vs. 13.6, P = 0.02) and cervical spinal cord (49.6 vs. 14.1, P = 0.003).