Epinephrine Administration at Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Worsens Cerebral Cortical Microcirculatory Blood Flow After Experimental Pediatric Cardiac Arrest

Background Hypoxic ischemic brain injury after cardiac arrest (CA) is the principal factor limiting intact neurological recovery. Epinephrine (EPI), the fundamental therapy that facilitates restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after CA, has been identified as potentially contributing to brain injury. EPI’s detrimental effects are often attributed to cerebral microvascular constriction, however its effects on cortical microcirculatory blood flow after pediatric asphyxial CA have not been defined. Hypothesis Administration of EPI compared to normal saline (NS) produces vasoconstriction and capillary stasis after pediatric asphyxial CA. …