HIGH-DOSE ADRENALINE IN ADULT IN-HOSPITAL ASYSTOLIC CARDIOPULMONARY-RESUSCITATION - A DOUBLE-BLIND RANDOMIZED TRIAL

Forty intensive care unit patients requiring cardiopulmonary resuscita tion were randomised to receive either the standard dose of adrenaline (1 mg every five minutes) or high-dose adrenaline (10 mg every five m inutes). In the majority of patients, overwhelming sepsis was the majo r contributing factor leading to cardiac arrest. In this group of pati ents no difference could be detected in response to high-dose adrenali ne compared with the standard dose. Although no side-effects were note d with this high dose of adrenaline, more investigation is required pr ior to its routine use in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.