Innovative pharmacologic approaches to cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The survival rate of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is 5% to 15%. New treatment approaches under investigation for CPR include the use of vasopressin as a vasopressor, amiodarone for the treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmia, and adenosine antagonists (i.e., theophylline) for bradyasystolic rhythms. More innovative approaches include the use of thyroid hormone and endothelin.