Question

Alternative drug for cardiac arrest in place of epinephrine is?

• A. Amiodarone infusion
• B. Atropine
• C. High dose vasopressin
• D. Adenosine

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In the context of treating cardiac arrest, the primary drug used is epinephrine, which serves as a potent vasoconstrictor to improve coronary and cerebral perfusion during resuscitation efforts. However, alternatives are sometimes considered based on the specific clinical scenario or if epinephrine is unavailable.

Among the given options, the alternative drug to epinephrine is:

• High dose vasopressin.

Vasopressin is a non-catecholamine vasoconstrictor that is considered an alternative to epinephrine, especially in certain guidelines for advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). It works by increasing vascular resistance and thus improving perfusion pressure during cardiac arrest. It can be used in a one-time high-dose administration in place of the 1st or 2nd dose of epinephrine during resuscitation.

Let's briefly examine why the other options are not suitable alternatives to epinephrine:

• Amiodarone infusion: This is an antiarrhythmic drug, mainly used in refractory ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, but not as a substitute for vasopressors.
• Atropine: Primarily used in bradycardia with symptomatic hemodynamic compromise, not as an alternative vasopressor in cardiac arrest.
• Adenosine: Utilized for terminating supraventricular tachycardias, not indicated in cardiac arrest management.

Therefore, the correct answer is high-dose vasopressin.