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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2001; 22(1): 035-050
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-13839
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Selected Controversies in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Steven J. White, Daniel Himes, Mazyar Rouhani, Corey M. Slovis
  • Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed frequently by paramedics, emergency department personnel, and inpatient physicians. Unfortunately, after more than 40 years of practice and study, there are still many controversies and unresolved treatment issues. This article focuses on four current controversies in CPR: (1) the role of end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) detection, (2) the use of bicarbonate, (3) whether epinephrine is the optimal alpha agonist, and (4) whether amiodarone should replace lidocaine as the initial antiarrhythmic of choice in the treatment of ventricular fibrillation.

KEYWORD

Cardiac arrest - CPR - amiodarone - vasopressin - ETCO2 - capnography - ventricular fibrillation - epinephrine

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