Effects of Endotracheal Weight-Based Epinephrine on Pharmacokinetics and Survival in Swine With a Cardiac Arrest

The Cmax and area under the curve were significantly higher in the IV Group compared to the 0.1 mg/kg ET Group (P < .05). The time to Cmax was significantly longer in the 0.1 mg/kg Group than the 1 mg IV Group (P = .03). The mean concentration of the 1 mg IV Group was higher than the 0.1 mg/kg ET Group until 180 and 240 seconds. There was no significant difference between the groups relative to time to ROSC (P > .05). Return of spontaneous circulation frequencies were: 0.1 mg/kg ET Group (7 of 8); 1 mg IV Group (5 of 8); and 2 mg ET Group (1 of 8), and both CPR + defib and CPR-Only (0 out of 8). This study challenges the current guidelines relative to ET epinephrine administration. Based on our ROSC data, the 0.1 mg/kg dose of epinephrine by ET should be used as a first-line intervention.