Nolan, Jerry P.; Perkins, Gavin D.; Current Opinion in Critical Care. 19(3):169-174, June 2013.
Purpose of review: To critically evaluate the recent data on the influence adrenaline has on outcome from cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Recent findings: Two prospective controlled trials in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have indicated that adrenaline increases the rate of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), but neither was sufficiently powered to determine the long-term outcomes. Several observational studies document higher ROSC rates in patients receiving adrenaline after OHCA, but these also document an association between receiving adrenaline and worse long-term outcomes.
Summary: Appropriately powered prospective, placebo-controlled trials of adrenaline in cardiac arrest are essential if the role of this drug is to be defined reliably.
Weblink here