In December 2005, the American Heart Association

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1 Review J Vet Intern Med 2008;22:9 25 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Small Animal Medicine: An Update S.J. Plunkett and M. McMichael In December 2005, the American Heart Association published new guidelines for cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) in humans for the 1st time in 5 years. Many of the recommendations are based on research conducted in animal species and may be applicable to small animal veterinary patients. One important change that may impact how CPCR is performed in veterinary medicine is the recommendation to avoid administration of excessive ventilatory rates because this maneuver severely decreases myocardial and cerebral perfusion, decreasing the chance of survival. The new guidelines also emphasize the importance of providing well-executed, continuous, uninterrupted chest compressions. Interruption of chest compressions should be avoided and, if necessary, should be minimized to o10 seconds. During defibrillation, immediate resumption of chest compressions for 2 minutes after a single shock, before reassessment of the rhythm by ECG, is recommended. This recommendation replaces previous recommendations for the delivery of 3 defibrillatory shocks in rapid succession. Allowing permissive hypothermia postresuscitation has been found to be beneficial and may increase success rate. Medications utilized in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including amiodarone, atropine, epinephrine, lidocaine, and vasopressin, along with the indications, effects, routes of administration, and dosages, are discussed. The application of the new guidelines to veterinary medicine as well as a review of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in small animals is provided. Key words: Amiodarone; Cardiac arrest; Epinephrine; Lidocaine; Vasopressin. In December 2005, the American Heart Association (AHA) published new guidelines for cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) in humans for the 1st time in 5 years. 1 The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, an international consortium of representatives from many resuscitation councils, reviewed the current science, developed a worldwide evidence-based guide for resuscitation practice, and collaborated to develop the guidelines. The consensus statements were published in December 2005 in the journal Circulation. 1 These guidelines are available without charge online at the website Highlights of the new guidelines include a greater emphasis on chest compressions, avoidance of excessive ventilation rates, and immediate resumption of compressions after a single defibrillation. Many of the recommendations are based on small animal research and may be pertinent to the veterinary patient. The revised recommendations particularly applicable to the pet population as well as an overview of CPCR will be discussed in more detail in this article. History of CPCR The 1st scientific references to artificial ventilation appeared in the 16th century. 2 Andreas Vesalius, often referred to as the father of resuscitation, described the From the Emergency Animal Clinic, Phoenix, AZ (Plunkett); and the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX (McMichael). Corresponding author: Dr Signe Plunkett, Emergency Animal Clinic, PLC, 2260 W. Glendale Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021; signedvm@cox.net. Submitted April 2, 2007; Revised June 14, 2007; Accepted October 2, Copyright r 2008 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine /j x use of bellows for apnea in Tossach documented the administration of mouth-to-mouth ventilation in Various methods have been utilized to attempt to save the life of the apparently deceased. Modern cardiopulmonary resuscitation had evolved by 1960 to include endotracheal intubation, artificial ventilation, and cardiac compressions. Since 1960, little improvement has been made in the success rate of CPCR in humans. 2,3 Approximately 330,000 people in the United States die every year from sudden cardiac arrest, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 4 The survival rate for out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest in people, defined by survival to discharge from the hospital, is o6.4% for the United States and Canada In dogs and cats that undergo cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) in the hospital, the reported survival rate to discharge was approximately 4% for dogs and between 4 and 9.6% for cats. 11,12 Recognition of CPA In veterinary medicine, there are several elements of CPCR that should be in place before CPA occurs to optimize success, including essential supplies, oxygen, and a crash cart with up-to-date medications to perform CPCR. Communication with the client, including verification of a telephone number where the client can be reached, is essential. Clients frequently have false expectations regarding the success of CPCR. Utilization of the term do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) with the client may be beneficial, because it indicates that an attempt will be made, rather than a guarantee of success. The decision to attempt CPCR should be based on the client s desires. The decision to terminate CPCR should be based on the patient s disease process, the original prognosis, and the client s desires. In most cases, continued CPCR efforts are ended by 20 minutes after arrest. 13 All hospitalized patients should be assigned to 1 of 3 groups, depending on the extent of CPCR to be

2 10 Plunkett and McMichael provided: patients with DNAR orders, external CPCR, and those patients for whom everything possible should be attempted, including open chest CPCR. The most successful CPCR is the one avoided. In small animal practice, there are many predisposing causes for CPA, including sepsis, cardiac failure, pulmonary disease, neoplasia, coagulopathies, anesthesia, toxicities, multisystem trauma, traumatic brain injury, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome Anticipation of CPA and vigilant monitoring for deterioration in critical patients are essential. Frequent reevaluation and repetition of critical diagnostic tests and procedures may be necessary. Before CPA, several changes may be observed, including obtundation, hypothermia, bradycardia, hypotension, and dilated, unresponsive pupils. Changes in respiratory depth, rate, or rhythm may occur, progressing to gasping and finally agonal breaths at death Mucous membrane color and capillary refill time should not be used to assess the patient for CPA because they may remain normal for several minutes after arrest. The definitive clinical signs of CPA include loss of consciousness, absence of spontaneous ventilation, absence of heart sounds on auscultation, and absence of palpable pulses. 16 Basic Life Support Performing chest compressions, providing ventilatory breaths, and administering a defibrillatory shock for ventricular fibrillation are the only aspects of CPCR proven to be effective treatment for CPA. 1 Only manual chest compressions with manual ventilation and the use of a defibrillator for the treatment of ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia have consistently improved long-term survival from CPA. 1 All veterinary team members should be trained and efficient in providing CPCR. Airway Establishment of an airway is performed, ideally by placement of a well-fitting, low-pressure, high-volume, cuffed endotracheal tube. If the ideal endotracheal tube is not available or does not fit, other options include placement of any hollow tube that fits into the trachea via the orotracheal route or via an emergency tracheostomy. The surgical approach for a tracheostomy is documented elsewhere. 21,22 A laryngoscope should be utilized to place the endotracheal tube and avoid vagalinduced bradycardia from excessive manipulation of the epiglottis. 23,24 Suctioning of blood or fluid from the caudal oropharynx may be necessary in some patients. Proper placement should be confirmed by visualization, appropriate chest wall excursions during ventilation, and palpation of the tube in the trachea rather than palpation of two tracheas, which indicates the endotracheal tube is in the esophagus. End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO 2 ) monitoring has been helpful to confirm endotracheal tube placement in anesthetized animals A positive reading for exhaled CO 2 is usually a reliable indicator of proper tube placement within the trachea in animals with normal circulation. However, in the patient with CPA, ETCO 2 initially may read near zero because of lack of perfusion and therefore may not be a reliable indicator of proper tube placement in these patients. 25,28,29 Breathing The veterinary patient is given 2 breaths 1 2 seconds in duration, with positive pressure ventilation using 100% inspired oxygen, and then evaluated for spontaneous ventilation. 30 If the patient resumes spontaneous ventilation, a full CPA situation may have been avoided. If the patient has only respiratory arrest, acupuncture of the Jen Chung (GV26) point should be considered. This technique is performed by twirling a 25-G, 5/8-in. needle inserted to the bone in the nasal philtrum at the ventral aspect of the nares. 16,31 This technique has been effective at increasing the ventilation rate in dogs. 16,31 Reversal agents are administered for medications that may cause apnea. Doxapram administration is contraindicated because it decreases cerebral blood flow and increases cerebral oxygen consumption and requirement If spontaneous ventilation does not return in the veterinary patient, ventilations are begun at a rate of breaths per minute (bpm) at airway pressures of 20 cmh 2 O. 25,35 All breaths should be given over 1 second with sufficient volume to cause a visual rise in the chest wall, and then allow normal relaxation of the chest wall. 36 The ventilations delivered to the patient should be neither too large nor too forcefully administered, or barotrauma of the lungs may occur. 14,37 An ambu bag or rebreathing bag on an anesthetic machine with the inhalant anesthetic turned off should be used. 36 In patients with pre-existing hypoxia or severe pulmonary disease, higher ventilation rates, bpm, may be beneficial. 22,37 Previous recommendations for veterinary patients were to provide a ventilatory rate of bpm. 22,30 Lower ventilation rates are an essential part of the new guidelines. 1 In humans, a ventilatory rate of 8 12 bpm is recommended for adults and bpm for pediatric patients and neonates. 1,35,38 Delivery of an excessive ventilatory rate should be avoided, because an excessive rate has been shown to lower coronary perfusion pressure and decrease the success rate of CPCR in human and in animal models Excessive ventilatory rates cause decreased coronary perfusion pressure, decreased cardiac preload, decreased cardiac output, decreased right ventricular function, increased intrathoracic pressure, and decreased venous return to the heart. 38 Although ventilatory rates are currently controversial, a recent study published in the medical literature found that providing chest compressions alone in resuscitation for out-of-hospital witnessed cardiac arrest resulted in a higher survival rate than no CPCR at all. 41 In instances in which 1 person is available or during transport, it may be appropriate to administer chest compressions only while awaiting assistance. 41 Circulation Standard manual CPCR was developed to pump blood from the chest to the vital organs during chest

3 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Small Animals 11 compression and enhance venous return into the chest during relaxation of the chest wall. The goal is to maximize cerebral and myocardial perfusion The difference between mean arterial pressure and intracranial pressure is cerebral perfusion pressure. Maintenance of cerebral blood flow and function depends on adequate cerebral perfusion pressure. 46,47 The difference between aortic diastolic pressure and right atrial pressure determines myocardial perfusion. Studies in humans and animals have shown that successful return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) corresponds with maintenance of sufficiently high myocardial perfusion pressures. 46,48 Compression of the chest wall causes an increase in intrathoracic pressure and direct compression of the heart. The degree of recoiling of the chest wall has a tremendous impact on the amount of blood flow back to the chest. With each chest wall decompression, venous return of blood to the right heart increases and intracranial pressure decreases transiently. 42,49 52 The decrease in intracranial pressure is the result of direct transfer of pressure through the thoracic spine to the cerebrospinal fluid and increased venous drainage of the nonvalvular veins of the paraspinal plexuses, resulting in increased venous return to the heart via the jugular veins. 50,53 55 External Chest Compressions The new guidelines for people emphasize the importance of continuous, uninterrupted chest compressions. 1 Every effort should be made to minimize the number and the duration of interruptions to o10 seconds, because interruptions allow a decrease in intrathoracic pressure, intravascular pressure, and coronary perfusion pressure. 1,56 60 According to recent studies in humans, interruptions for attempted defibrillation, securing and checking the airway, placement of IV catheters, drug administration, ECG evaluation, and CPCR assessment resulted in cessation of chest compressions 40 50% of the time and were associated with increased mortality. 56,57,59 61 Rapid auscultation of the chest for audible heart sounds is performed while simultaneously palpating for the presence of a peripheral pulse. If heart sounds and pulses are absent, continuous external chest compressions are begun. The thoracic pump theory, the mechanism thought to be in effect in humans and medium to large dogs, suggests that the application of pressure to the chest wall in a rhythmic manner creates blood flow by increasing intrathoracic pressure that is transmitted to arteries and veins, with a pressure gradient causing forward blood flow, and also by compressing the heart directly. 22,62 The cardiac pump theory is the method thought to be responsible for forward blood movement from external chest compressions in cats and in dogs o15 kg. According to the cardiac pump theory, arterial flow is thought to be caused by direct compression of the ventricles. 22 External chest compressions that are correctly performed in humans can generate systolic arterial pressure peaks of mmhg and cardiac output between 25 and 40% of prearrest values. 46,63 The patient should be placed on a firm surface in right lateral recumbency. Ideally, the person administering chest compressions (the compressor) should be above the patient s chest. 64,65 Placement of the compressor s hands varies depending on the shape of the patient s chest. For medium and large dogs (thoracic pump), the compressor s hands should be placed over the widest part of the chest and 1 hand should be placed on top of the other hand with the hands parallel, applying even pressure to the chest wall with the palm of the hand. For animals weighing 7 10 kg, the compressor should place his or her hands directly over the apex of the heart, which lies between the 4th and the 6th intercostal spaces at or slightly dorsal to the costochondral junction. Hands should be placed slightly more dorsal in animals weighing 410 kg. For smaller dogs (o7 kg) and cats, the fingers of 1 hand should be placed on 1 side of the chest and the thumb on the other side. Compressions with the fingertips should be avoided. 22,30,66 68 The person performing chest compressions should change every 2 minutes to maintain adequate force and rate. 1,69,70 Chest compressions for veterinary patients should be provided at compressions per minute with a 1 : 1 compression to relaxation ratio (compression time should equal relaxation time). 13,22 The currently recommended chest compression rate for humans is 100 compressions per minute for adult and pediatric patients and 90 compressions per minute for neonatal patients. The chest wall should be allowed to completely recoil after being compressed approximately 30% of the chest wall diameter; otherwise, decreased coronary and cerebral perfusion and increased intrathoracic pressure occur, leading to decreased survival to discharge from the hospital. 57,59,71 73 Chest compressions should be continuous, with no pauses during administration of ventilatory breaths, placement of IV catheters, endotracheal intubation, ECG assessment, palpation of pulses, or administration of medications. 1,51,56,57,66 For witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, a study in humans showed no improvement in neurological outcome by adding mouthto-mouth ventilation to external chest compressions. 41 Although some studies have shown that the technique of interposed abdominal compression with chest compressions may increase venous return to the heart, other studies have not shown any survival advantage. 67,68 Evidence for or against the use of interposed abdominal compression is lacking in the new CPCR guidelines. 1 Compression Assist Devices There are several compression assist devices available for CPCR in humans. The theory of the active compression-decompression device is that venous return to the heart can be increased during decompression by expanding the chest cavity and decreasing intrathoracic pressure. The results of studies utilizing these devices have been inconsistent. 69,70,74 Such a device may be difficult to use in most veterinary patients because of the hair coat. An impedance threshold device (ITD) is a valve that limits air entry into the lungs during chest recoil between chest compressions to improve venous return to the

4 12 Plunkett and McMichael heart by increasing negative intrathoracic pressure during the decompression phase of CPCR without affecting exhalation. 42,75 77 In animal models, the ITD can improve hemodynamic parameters, increase cerebral perfusion by lowering intracranial pressure, improve myocardial perfusion when intrathoracic pressure becomes increasingly negative, and improve ROSC when used as an adjunct to CPCR in intubated cardiac arrest patients. 42,50 52 Although ITDs have been used in animals in research, their use is not yet reported in veterinary practice. Internal Cardiac Massage The indications for internal cardiac massage include penetrating chest wounds, thoracic trauma with rib fractures, pleural space disease, diaphragmatic hernia, pericardial effusion, hemoperitoneum, intraoperative sudden cardiac arrest, and failure to achieve adequate circulation within 2 5 minutes of external chest compressions, especially in dogs weighing 420 kg. 30,78 80 The surgical approach for internal cardiac massage has been described elsewhere. 79,81 It has been suggested previously to place a cross-clamp around the descending aorta, caudal to the heart, to increase coronary and cerebral blood flow. 21,81,82 An alternative is to gently apply digital pressure to the descending aorta, caudal to the heart, with 1 finger while cardiac compression is performed with the remaining part of the hand. 30,79 If a cross-clamp tourniquet or digital pressure is applied, it should be utilized for o10 minutes and slowly withdrawn. 81 Arrhythmias Although rhythm analysis is important and ECG assessment should occur early in CPA, it should be carried out as briefly as possible to avoid impeding chest compressions. There are only 4 rhythms that can cause a pulseless cardiac arrest: asystole, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Another arrhythmia of importance is sinus bradycardia (a heart rate o40 60 bpm in dogs and o bpm in cats with a normal sinus rhythm on ECG). Increased vagal tone, hypothermia, increased intracranial pressure, and medications can cause sinus bradycardia. 83,84 Asystole and Pulseless Electrical Activity In humans, the survival rate from cardiac arrest with asystole is very low. 1 Asystole is the most common arrest rhythm in dogs and cats. 83,84 It can result from numerous serious disease processes, trauma, and increased vagal tone. 1,83 Evaluation of all leads of an ECG is important, because fine ventricular fibrillation can mimic asystole. 85,86 Administration of a defibrillation shock to a patient in asystole may prove detrimental to survival Resuscitation efforts should be directed at performing high-quality CPCR with minimal interruptions and to identify and treat reversible causes or complicating factors. No medications have been shown to be effective in the treatment of asystole. 1 Pulseless electrical activity is the condition in which, despite a normal heart rate and rhythm on ECG, there is an absence of myocardial contractility. Pulseless electrical activity was referred to previously as electrical mechanical dissociation and has been combined with asystole under the new 2005 guidelines for humans. 1 Under the new guidelines, many rhythms are grouped in the PEA category, including idioventricular rhythms and ventricular escape rhythms. 1 No medications have proven effective in the treatment of PEA (ie defibrillation is not beneficial), and resuscitation should focus on performing high-quality CPCR and treatment of reversible causes or complicating factors. 1 The prognosis is poor for successful resuscitation. 1 Ventricular Tachycardia Ventricular tachycardia results from repetitive firing of an ectopic focus or foci in the ventricular myocardium or Purkinje system and can precipitate ventricular fibrillation. 83 Causes of ventricular tachycardia include hypoxia, pain, ischemia, sepsis, electrolyte changes, trauma, pancreatitis, gastric dilatation and volvulus, primary cardiac disease, and other conditions. 84,92 Treatment of the underlying cause should be addressed. 83 Ventricular Fibrillation Ventricular fibrillation is unorganized ventricular excitation resulting in poorly synchronized and inadequate myocardial contractions that cause cardiac pump failure. Sudden loss of cardiac output leads to global tissue ischemia, with the brain and myocardium being most susceptible. Ventricular fibrillation may be either fine, with lower amplitude and complete lack of organization, or coarse, with higher amplitude and more orderly appearance. 83,84 Orthogonal leads (lead I and avf, lead II and avl) should be checked to verify fine ventricular fibrillation, which can mimic asystole on the ECG. Fine ventricular fibrillation may be more difficult to convert to sinus rhythm than coarse ventricular fibrillation. 85,86 Defibrillation Defibrillation is defined as termination of ventricular fibrillation for at least 5 seconds after delivery of an electric shock that depolarizes myocardial cells and eliminates ventricular fibrillation. It is an electrophysiologic event that occurs ms after delivery of a defibrillatory shock Ventricular fibrillation should be identified as early as possible because it is more responsive to defibrillation if detected early. There are 2 types of defibrillators, monophasic and biphasic, referring to the type of current used. Newer defibrillators are usually biphasic and are effective at terminating ventricular fibrillation in humans at lower energy levels ( J) than are monophasic defibrillators (360 J). It is important to know the type of defibrillator available and the energy level proven by the manufacturer to be effective at terminating ventricular fibrillation Chest compressions should be performed while the defibrillator is being connected and charged. With

5 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Small Animals 13 a manual defibrillator, the defibrillator operator selects the shock energy (in joules); however, it is the amplitude of current flow (in amperes) that causes depolarization of the myocardium and results in defibrillation. 99 Alcohol, ultrasound gel, or other nonconductive gels should not be used on electrode paddles. 1,36 Conductive paste should be applied liberally to the paddles or self-adhesive pads should be used. The largest electrode paddles or pad that will fit on the patient s chest should be used because small electrodes may cause myocardial necrosis The patient should be placed in dorsal recumbency and the paddles should be placed with pressure on opposite sides of the chest. When the defibrillator is charged, the word clear should be shouted to warn personnel to cease contact with the patient and anything connected to the patient, and then 1 shock should be administered as quickly as possible. The person administering the shock must avoid contact with the patient s limbs, the table, the ECG leads, and everything connected to the patient. Doing so can be difficult with the patient in dorsal recumbency. Alternatively, the patient can remain in right lateral recumbency, a flat paddle can be placed under the patient s chest on the down side, and a standard paddle can be used on the upper side of the chest. The initial counter shock energy for external defibrillation is 2 5 J/kg. 103,104 Other dosage recommendations for external defibrillation are to administer 50 J for small dogs and cats, 100 J for medium dogs, and 200 J for large dogs or to administer 7 J/kg to patients o15 kg and 10 J/kg to patients 415 kg. For internal defibrillation, saline-soaked sponges should be placed between the paddles and the heart. The energy of the counter shock for internal defibrillation is 1/10 of the dosage used for external defibrillation ( J/kg). 104 Under the 2005 guidelines, to minimize the interruption in chest compressions, 1 shock should be administered rather than the 3 successive shocks recommended previously. 56,71,105,106 Chest compressions should immediately be resumed for 2 minutes before reassessing the cardiac rhythm and administration of an additional shock. 1 Assessment of an ECG immediately after defibrillation rarely is helpful and delays resumption of postshock chest compressions. 59,72, After successful defibrillation, a short period of a nonperfusing rhythm, either asystole or pulseless electrical activity, is common before returning to normal sinus rhythm. 96,110,111 Immediate chest compressions after attempted defibrillation increase myocardial perfusion and are more likely to make conversion successful than the administration of a 2nd shock. 56,71,98,105,106, In an unwitnessed, out-of-hospital arrest, the 2005 CPCR guidelines recommend the administration of external chest compressions first for approximately 2 minutes, followed by 1 defibrillatory shock, regardless of the type of defibrillator used, with immediate resumption of chest compressions for 2 minutes before reassessing the cardiac rhythm. 116,117 In these situations, a clinically relevant period of no perfusion may have occurred. The responsiveness of ventricular fibrillation to defibrillation may be enhanced by previous chest compressions and epinephrine administration. 71,106 When CPA occurs in a human hospital, immediate defibrillation is recommended. If ventricular fibrillation continues after 1 or 2 shocks plus compression, epinephrine should be administered every 3 5 minutes, or a dose of vasopressin may be substituted for the 1st or the 2nd dose of epinephrine. If ventricular fibrillation continues after 2 or 3 shocks, compressions and administration of a vasopressor, followed by amiodarone, are recommended. 108, The likelihood of ROSC proportionately decreases with delays in cardiac compressions from repeated defibrillation, rhythm assessment, and other interruptions. 56,57,60,105,113,115 A precordial thump is no longer recommended because research has shown that it can lead to deterioration of cardiac rhythm, increased rate of ventricular tachycardia, conversion of ventricular tachycardia to ventricular fibrillation, complete heart block, or asystole Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are computerized devices that use voice and visual prompts to guide safe defibrillation. They are useful for out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest in public access areas such as airports and sports venues Microprocessors in the AED analyze features of the surface ECG. The voice and visual prompts along with diagrams guide the rescuer and will not send a defibrillating shock unless the automated ECG rhythm analysis determines that administration of a shock is indicated. 57,61, Although manual defibrillators with dose adjustment capabilities are recommended for children, AEDs equipped with pediatric attenuator systems are available for children 1 8 years of age If an AED is to be used on a small animal patient, studies in swine show that it is advisable to use an AED equipped with a pediatric dose attenuation system. 103,131 Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Pharmacologic support of circulation and placement of an advanced airway are some of the treatments considered to be a part of ACLS. These measures are provided in addition to basic life support to increase the likelihood of successful resuscitation and survival to discharge from the hospital. Routes of Administration for Medications and Fluid Therapy A central line is the preferred route for administration of medication during CPCR. Unfortunately, one rarely is in place before CPA, and a central line should not be placed during CPCR because of the time-consuming nature of placement. 132,133 A peripheral IV catheter is the next most preferred route, followed by intraosseous (IO) administration and finally the intratracheal (IT) route. 36,134 Because of the rapid access to the IT route and delays in placing peripheral catheters during CPA, some prefer the IT route. Intracardiac injections should be avoided, except possibly during open chest CPCR, when the heart is directly observed. In addition to the difficulty of injecting blindly into the left ventricle,

6 14 Plunkett and McMichael intracardiac injections can result in numerous complications, including coronary vessel laceration, myocardial ischemia, hemorrhage, arrhythmia, and pneumothorax. 16,135,136 Medication administered via a peripheral catheter should be given as a bolus injection, followed by 0.9% NaCl IV and raising of the extremity for seconds. 1,137,138 It usually takes 1 2 minutes for medication administered via a peripheral vein to reach the central circulation. The new guidelines recommend chest compressions be administered for 2 minutes after drug administration via a peripheral vein before checking the ECG. 132,133 The sites for IO administration include the tibial crest, the femoral trochanteric fossa, and the proximal humerus, and the technique has been described elsewhere. 139 The medications found to be well absorbed and safe for administration via the IT route are atropine, epinephrine, lidocaine, naloxone, and vasopressin (see Table 1) IT administration of sodium bicarbonate should be avoided because it inactivates the surfactant and irritates tissues. 16,140, Medications to be administered via the IT route should be diluted in 5 10 ml of sterile water, which is absorbed better than 0.9% NaCl If sterile water is not available, 0.9% NaCl should be utilized. 146,148 For IT administration, the dosage of most drugs should be increased times their IV dosage, except for epinephrine, which should be increased by 3 10 times the IV dosage ( mg/ kg). 149, In studies of humans and animals, lower dose epinephrine administered via the IT route caused hypotension and decreased cerebral perfusion pressure because of transient b-adrenergic effects. 153,154, IV Fluid Therapy The 2005 guidelines for humans state that IV fluids should be administered if the patient is hypovolemic. 1 IV fluids should not be administered at shock dosages (90 ml/kg for dogs and 45 ml/kg for cats) unless the patient was hypovolemic before CPA. In the euvolemic CPA patient, the recommended dosage for crystalloid IV fluids is a 20 ml/kg bolus for dogs and a 10 ml/kg bolus for cats, as rapidly as possible. The administration of excessive volumes of IV fluids to euvolemic patients during CPCR in animal studies decreased coronary perfusion pressure because of an increase in right atrial pressure relative to aortic pressure. 12,161,162 If colloids are necessary, the IV dosage of hetastarch or plasma is 20 ml/kg/ day for dogs and 5 10 ml/kg/day for cats. Hetastarch may be administered as an IV bolus during CPCR at a dosage of 5 ml/kg for dogs and 2 3 ml/kg for cats Hypertonic saline has been shown to improve survival from ventricular fibrillation when compared with 0.9% NaCl in animal studies. 168,169 Although the concentrations and dose recommendations are variable, the authors recommend 3% hypertonic saline, at a dosage of 4 6 ml/kg IV, slowly over 5 minutes. 168,169 If hyper- Table 1. Medications and shock energy doses used in CPCR. Medication Canine Feline Details Amiodarone 5.0 mg/kg IV, IO over 10 minutes Repeat dose 2.5 mg/kg IV, IO over 10 Same Only 1 repeat dose, after 3 5 minutes, is recommended. Do not administer IT minutes Atropine 0.04 mg/kg IV, IO mg/kg IT a Same Can repeat every 3 5 minutes for a maximum of 3 doses Calcium gluconate 10% ml/kg IV slowly Same Do not administer IT Epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV, IO mg/kg IT a Repeat dose 0.1 mg/kg IV, IO, IT a Same Lidocaine mg/kg IV, IO 0.2 mg/kg IV, mg/kg IT a IO, IT Magnesium sulfate meq/kg IV slowly over 10 Same minutes Naloxone mg/kg IV Sodium bicarbonate Vasopressin External defibrillation shock energy (J) Internal defibrillation shock energy (J) Initial dose Repeat doses should be administered every 3 5 minutes Use cautiously in cats Can repeat to a maximum of 0.75 meq/kg Do not administer IT Same Opioid reversal agent 0.5 meq/kg IV, IO Same 0.08 BW (kg) base deficit 5 #of meq to administer Do not administer IT. Administer cautiously after minutes of CPA; can repeat every 10 minutes U/kg IV, IO Same Repeat every 3 5 minutes or alternate with U/kg IT a 2 5 J/kg Or 50 J for small dogs, 100 J for medium dogs, and 200 J for large dogs Or 7 J/kg if o15 kg and 10 J/kg if 415 kg J/kg Same 2 5 J/kg Or 50 J Or 7 J/kg if o15 kg a All medications administered IT should be diluted in 5 10 ml of sterile water. IO, intraosseous; IT, intratracheal; CPCR, cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation. epinephrine

7 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Small Animals 15 tonic saline is administered too rapidly, it can cause vagal-induced bradycardia and hypotension. 168,169 Epinephrine Epinephrine hydrochloride is a mixed adrenergic agonist, acting on a- and b-receptors. 170,171 It possesses both b 1 -agonist (increased myocardial contractility, increased heart rate, increased myocardial automaticity, and increased myocardial oxygen consumption) and b 2 -agonist (smooth muscle relaxation, peripheral vasodilatation, systemic hypotension, and bronchial dilatation) effects. 172,173 Epinephrine is administered during CPCR mainly for its a 2 -adrenergic receptor-stimulating effects, including peripheral arteriolar vasoconstriction, which leads to increased coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure. 174,175 The a 2 -agonist effect of increased peripheral arteriolar vasoconstriction overrides the b 2 -agonist induced hypotension and causes an increase in systemic vascular resistance and increased arterial blood pressure, which result in the shunting of blood to the brain, heart, and lungs. 174,176 The a 1 -agonist effects can be detrimental to the myocardium by increasing myocardial oxygen demands and causing intramyocardial coronary arteriolar vasoconstriction and enhancing the reduction in myocardial perfusion The optimal dosage of epinephrine is not known. In veterinary patients, epinephrine (1 : 1,000) should be administered initially at 0.01 mg/kg IV, unless it is being administered IT, in which case the dosage is mg/kg. 149,174,185,186 Epinephrine administration should be repeated every 3 5 minutes if indicated. In veterinary medicine, if repeated doses are not successful, vasopressin can be administered instead or the epinephrine dosage can be increased to 0.1 mg/kg IV. 171, Many protocols in human medicine now call for 1 dose of epinephrine, followed by a dose of vasopressin IV before repeating or increasing the dose of epinephrine. 171,187,188 There have been no randomized clinical studies comparing an epinephrine dosage of 0.01 mg/kg with placebo in cardiac arrest. 189 Placebo was shown to be superior to an epinephrine dosage of 0.1 mg/kg in survival to discharge in humans with CPCR Although epinephrine 0.1 mg/kg IV appears to be superior for maximizing cerebral blood flow and the aortic diastolic-right atrial gradient, it is also associated with a higher refibrillation rate and a lower survival rate Vasopressin Vasopressin is a nonadrenergic endogenous pressor peptide that causes peripheral, coronary, and renal vasoconstriction. 193,194 At a dosage of U/kg IV or U/kg IT, vasopressin stimulates specific V 1A receptors in the smooth muscle of the vasculature, leading to nonadrenergic vasoconstriction. 171, Vasopressin may improve cerebral perfusion by causing dilatation of cerebral vasculature. It causes less constriction in coronary and renal blood vessels than in peripheral tissue, resulting in preferential shunting of blood to the central nervous system and heart. 171,196,198,202 Because the outcome from pulseless cardiac arrest did not differ in humans treated with vasopressin compared with those treated with epinephrine, the 2005 guidelines state that vasopressin can be used with or instead of epinephrine in the treatment of ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and PEA. 1 In humans with asystole, vasopressin was superior to epinephrine in survival to discharge from the hospital in some studies, and it is recommended in the treatment of asystole. 1,89,91,203 The utilization of vasopressin in CPCR of companion animals is increasing because asystole is the most common arrest arrhythmia. 90,204 Several studies in animals with ventricular fibrillation showed that vasopressin was superior to both epinephrine and placebo for ROSC. 87,89,193,205 The responses of the V 1A receptors remain intact in an acidotic environment, as encountered in cardiac arrest, allowing vasopressin to function, whereas epinephrine and other catecholamines lose much of their vasopressor effects in hypoxic and acidotic environments. 171,195 According to a recent report in human medicine, the initial dosage of vasopressin can be repeated every 3 5 minutes or vasopressin can be alternated with epinephrine every 3 5 minutes. 188 Atropine Atropine sulfate is an anticholinergic parasympatholytic that is effective at muscarinic receptors. 206,207 During cardiac arrest, ventricular vagal tone is suspected to be high, suppressing automaticity. 207 Atropine reverses cholinergic-mediated responses and parasympathetic stimulation and acts to increase heart rate, control hypotension, and increase systemic vascular resistance. 207 As a vagolytic, it is most effective in the treatment of vagalinduced asystole. 207 It increases automaticity of the sinoatrial node and conduction of the atrioventricular node. 208,209 Although there are no prospective controlled studies supporting the use of atropine in asystole or PEA cardiac arrest, the 2005 guidelines recommend atropine in these instances. 1 The recommended dosage for atropine during CPCR in dogs and cats is 0.04 mg/kg IV. 104 If there is no effect, the dose can be repeated every 3 5 minutes for a maximum of 3 doses. 210,211 Amiodarone Amiodarone is a class III antiarrhythmic agent with several effects, including prolongation of myocardial cell action potential duration and refractory period by affecting sodium, potassium, and calcium channels, and noncompetitive a- and b-adrenergic inhibition. 119,212 It is the medication of choice for treatment of refractory ventricular fibrillation after defibrillation, according to the 2005 guidelines. 1,118,120,213 Although numerous studies in humans and animals showed improvement in response to defibrillation in patients treated with amiodarone compared with patients treated with lidocaine, other studies dispute these findings. 214 It should also be noted that the rate of survival to hospital discharge did not improve with the administration of amiodarone. 1 Lidocaine and amiodarone are indicated for the treatment

8 16 Plunkett and McMichael of atrial fibrillation, narrow-complex superventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, wide-complex tachycardia of uncertain origin, and refractory ventricular fibrillation that is unresponsive to compressions, defibrillation, and vasopressor administration. 118,120, The dosage of amiodarone is 5.0 mg/kg IV or IO over 10 minutes. One repeated dose of amiodarone, at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg IV, may be administered after 3 5 minutes. 119,215 Lidocaine Lidocaine is a class Ib antiarrhythmic agent that stabilizes cell membranes by sodium channel blockade and also acts as a local anesthetic. In clinical trials, in comparison with amiodarone, lidocaine resulted in decreased ROSC and increased incidence of asystole after defibrillation. 118,216 Because it has no proven efficacy in cardiac arrest, the 2005 guidelines state that lidocaine should be considered an alternative treatment to amiodarone. 1 Lidocaine is not recommended for treatment of ventricular fibrillation if defibrillation is planned, because it may make electrical defibrillation more difficult by increasing the defibrillation threshold and decreasing myocardial automaticity. 217,218 For ventricular arrhythmias after resuscitation, lidocaine may be beneficial and should be considered if amiodarone is not available. 118,213,214 The dosage of lidocaine in dogs is mg/kg IV or IO. 12,25 For IT administration in dogs, the lidocaine dosage is increased times and it is diluted in sterile water. 12,25,143,144 Lidocaine should be used cautiously, if at all, in cats at a dosage of 0.2 mg/kg IV, IO, or IT. 219,220 Sodium Bicarbonate Sodium bicarbonate was recommended previously for the treatment of severe acidosis during CPCR. Evidence for its efficacy is lacking and the new guidelines recommend it only in the treatment of tricyclic antidepressant overdose, severe pre-existing metabolic acidosis, and severe hyperkalemia For these conditions, sodium bicarbonate may be administered at a dosage of 0.5 meq/kg IV The best treatment for the respiratory acidosis and nonrespiratory (metabolic) acidosis that occur during CPA is to maximize ventilation and perfusion. 1,153,228,229 Sodium bicarbonate may inactivate catecholamines that are administered simultaneously and can cause hypernatremia, hyperosmolality, extracellular alkalosis, decreased systemic vascular resistance, left shift of the oxyhemoglobin curve, and decreased release of oxygen from hemoglobin. 23 Calcium Calcium was thought to be useful for increasing cardiac contractility during CPCR, but there is no proven benefit for the administration of calcium during CPCR Calcium is currently recommended for the treatment of calcium channel blocker toxicity, hyperkalemia, and documented ionized hypocalcemia, rather than routine use during CPCR. 231 When indicated, the dosage of 10% calcium gluconate is ml/kg slowly IV. 233 In critically ill patients, serum total calcium concentration is an inadequate reflection of serum ionized calcium concentration, which is affected by interactions of serum ph, individual serum protein-binding capacity and affinity, and serum protein concentration. 232, Magnesium Sulfate Magnesium sulfate is an essential enzyme cofactor with numerous roles in cellular metabolism. A deficiency of magnesium may result in altered depolarization, repolarization, and pacemaker activity because of abnormalities of potassium and sodium homeostasis from decreased sodium, potassium-adenosinetriphosphatase (Na 1, K 1 -ATPase) activity. Magnesium also affects vascular tone The administration of magnesium sulfate may be beneficial in the treatment of refractory ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation and torsades de pointes (a life-threatening, polymorphic form of ventricular tachycardia). 1, Decreased intracellular concentrations of magnesium increase myocardial excitability, potentially resulting in ventricular arrhythmias The dosage of magnesium sulfate during cardiac arrest is meq/kg administered slowly IV over 10 minutes, repeated to a maximum dosage of magnesium sulfate of 0.75 meq/kg/day. 215 Glucose Glucose administration is not recommended during CPCR unless the patient has documented hypoglycemia. Neurologic outcome after resuscitation is worse in patients with hyperglycemia. 228, Bretylium Tosylate Bretylium tosylate is a type III antiarrhythmic agent with both direct myocardial and adrenergic effects. It is no longer recommended because of its hypotensive effects, antiadrenergic effects, and lack of proven efficacy. 36,249,250 Reversal Agents If CPA is associated with sedation or anesthesia, administration of a reversal agent if one is available and appropriate is recommended. Reversal agents include a 2 - adrenergic antagonists (yohimbine or atipamezole, mg/kg IV slowly), benzodiazepam antagonists (flumazenil, 0.02 mg/kg IV), and opioid antagonists (naloxone, mg/kg IV). 251 The administration of inhalation anesthetics should be stopped and the breathing circuit should be evaluated before CPCR is initiated. Monitoring the Effectiveness of CPCR To assess the effectiveness of CPCR efforts, the patient s ETCO 2 level should be monitored as an indication of perfusion. 25,29,252 If ventilation during CPCR is relatively constant, changes in cardiac output are reflected by changes in ETCO 2 levels. 25 In studies of humans,

9 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Small Animals 17 patients who could not be resuscitated had significantly lower ETCO 2 levels than those who were successfully resuscitated. 245, The presence of a palpable carotid or femoral pulse may not be a reliable indicator of successful CPCR, because venous pulses may be felt in the absence of adequate arterial blood flow during CPCR because of backflow of blood from the caudal vena cava. 256,257 Assessment of cerebral blood flow can be performed by placement of a Doppler ultrasound transducer on the lubricated cornea. 258,259 Assessment of oxygenation at the tissue level during CPCR can be achieved by monitoring central venous blood gases from a pulmonary artery catheter sample. 25 Evaluation of central venous blood gases provides a more accurate assessment of tissue acid-base status during CPCR because it takes into consideration the effects of low peripheral blood flow and the resulting tissue hypoxia, hypercarbia, and acidosis that occur during CPA. 1,25,260 Studies have shown that evaluation of arterial blood gases during CPCR does not adequately reflect the effectiveness of ventilation or the severity of tissue acidosis or tissue hypoxemia Pulse oximetry is not helpful because peripheral pulsatile blood flow is inadequate. 1,245 Care of the Patient After Successful Resuscitation Respiratory or CPA commonly recur after successful CPCR in veterinary patients. 12 A sepsis-like syndrome characterized by coagulopathy, immunologic dysfunction, and multiple organ failure has been documented after successful resuscitation in people because of the presence of global ischemia and reperfusion injury The following parameters should be monitored: pulse rate, rhythm and character, mental status, ECG, pulse oximetry, body temperature, lung sounds, mucous membrane color, capillary refill time, urine output, electrolytes, blood gases, PCV and total solids, blood glucose concentration, serum lactate concentration, central venous pressure, neurologic function, and patient comfort. 228,245,246 Supplemental oxygen should be provided via ventilatory support if inadequacies in spontaneous ventilation are present, or via a nasal catheter, a hood, or an oxygen kennel. 36 Initially, the patient should be ventilated with 100% oxygen, but the oxygen concentration should be decreased to o60% as quickly as possible to avoid oxygen toxicity. 108, If continued ventilation is required, arterial blood gases and direct arterial blood pressure or indirect systolic blood pressure should be monitored continuously. If the animal has mild hypothermia or becomes hypothermic during CPCR, permissive hypothermia should be allowed. 272,273 Permissive hypothermia is the term used when hypothermia is allowed to continue without taking steps to rewarm the patient to a normal body temperature. This term differs from induced hypothermia, in which the human patient is manipulated via medical treatment and external devices to a body temperature of C and maintained at this low body temperature for hours Although induced hypothermia may be useful in human patients, it requires advanced monitoring and medical devices not typically available in veterinary practice. Complications of hypothermia include arrhythmias and coagulopathy. 1, The target temperature for dogs and cats is C. 276,277 Permissive hypothermia diminishes the oxygen demands of tissues, reduces neurologic impairment after CPA, and may increase the success rate from CPCR IV fluid therapy should be administered cautiously. Crystalloids should not be administered at shock fluid dosages unless the patient was hypovolemic before CPA. To improve peripheral perfusion and cardiac output, it may be beneficial to administer an IV bolus of a colloid such as hetastarch (5 10 ml/kg IV for dogs and 2 3 ml/kg IV slowly over 15 minutes for cats.) 166,281 If the colloid bolus does not improve cardiac output, blood pressure, and peripheral perfusion, it may be beneficial to administer a positive inotrope or vasopressor. After an adequate IV fluid bolus, if the patient is normotensive, with decreased perfusion and decreased cardiac contractility as evaluated by echocardiography, administration of a positive inotrope (eg dobutamine or dopamine) may be indicated. Peripheral perfusion can be evaluated by assessing serum lactate concentration, urine output, capillary refill time, and rectal and peripheral temperatures. Dobutamine is usually the drug of choice to improve cardiac output without causing excessive vasoconstriction. The dosage of dobutamine for infusion is mg/kg/min IV as a constant rate infusion (CRI) titrated to effect. 282,283 The administration of dopamine may be beneficial if dobutamine does not produce the desired response. Dopamine has a greater impact on systemic arterial blood pressure but may cause excessive vasoconstriction without an additional increase in cardiac output. The dosage of dopamine to produce a positive inotropic effect is mg/kg/min IV as a CRI titrated to effect. 282,283 The following formula may be used to calculate a dobutamine or dopamine CRI: 6 body weight in kilograms 5 the number of milligrams of dobutamine or dopamine added to a total volume of 100 ml 0.9% NaCl. When this preparation is delivered at 1.0 ml/h IV, 1.0 mg/kg/min is administered. The CRI solution should be protected from light. 284 After an adequate IV fluid bolus, if the patient is hypotensive, with normal cardiac contractility as evaluated by echocardiography, the administration of a vasopressor (eg epinephrine, vasopressin, or norepinephrine) IV as a CRI titrated to effect may be beneficial to increase systemic arterial blood pressure and cardiac output, but cautious administration is necessary because excessive vasoconstriction may occur. 282,285 The dosage of epinephrine (1 : 1,000) for infusion is mg/kg/ min IV as a CRI titrated to effect. 283 The following formula may be useful to calculate an epinephrine CRI: 0.6 body weight in kilograms 5 the number of milligrams of epinephrine added to a total volume of 100 ml 0.9% NaCl. When this preparation is delivered at 1.0 ml/h IV, 0.1 mg/kg/min is administered. The CRI solution should be protected from light. 284 The dosage of vasopressin for