Principles of Drug Delivery During CPR.

The time from onset of cardiopulmonary arrest until restoration of an effective, spontaneous circulation is the single most important determinant of long-term, neurologically intact survival from cardiopulmonary arrest. Prompt defibrillation of ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), when either rhythm is present, is more likely to alter patient outcome than is immediate pharmacological management (1). However, treatment with pharmacological agents is frequently required in patients with VF or VT that is refractory to electrical countershocks, and in patients with asystole or pulseless electrical activity (PEA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]