Effects of graded doses of vasopressin on median fibrillation frequency in a porcine model of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

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Abstract
To assess the effects of graded doses of vasopressin vs. saline on median fibrillation frequency and defibrillation success in a porcine model of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Animal laboratory in a university medical center. Twenty-eight domestic pigs (body weight between 26 and 31 kg), aged 12 to 14 wks. After 4 mins of ventricular fibrillation and 3 mins of closed-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the animals were allocated to receive either 0.2 U/kg of vasopressin (n = 7), 0.4 U/kg of vasopressin (n = 7), 0.8 U/kg of vasopressin (n = 7), or 10 mL of saline (n = 7, control group). Using radiolabeled microspheres, myocardial blood flow rates during cardiopulmonary resuscitation--before drug administration and 90 secs and 5 mins after drug administration--were as follows in the four groups (mean +/- SEM): 18.8 +/- 0.9, 17.2 +/- 1.1, and 14.6 +/- 1.4 mL/min/100 g in the control group; 17.8 +/- 2.2, 49.6 +/- 6.3 (p Conclusions This study contributes to the characterization of the effect of increasing global myocardial blood flow on median fibrillation frequency after administration of graded doses of vasopressin in a porcine model of ventricular fibrillation. Interventions such as vasopressor treatment that increase fibrillation frequency improve the chance of successful defibrillation.