ADMINISTRATION OF AN ALPHA-2 ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR AGONIST TO ENHANCE CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION

摘要

Methods, formulations and kits are described for resuscitating a patient suffering from cardiac arrest, for enhancing the efficacy of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, for treating post-resuscitation hypotension, and for reducing the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and myocardial dysfunction in a patient following cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Prior methods and agents often cause inotropic or chronotropic effects, which can lead to undesirable post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction. The invention comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of an alpha 2-receptor agonist that does not cross the blood-brain barrier, such as alpha -methylnorepinephrine, to enhance cardiopulmonary resuscitation.