How often should epinephrine be repeated during cardiac arrest?

How often should epinephrine be repeated during cardiac arrest?

• A. Every 1-2 minutes
• B. Every 3-5 minutes (1 mg IV/IO per dose)
• C. Every 6-8 minutes
• D. Every 10 minutes

Answer: (B)

During cardiac arrest, the aim is to repeatedly boost coronary and cerebral perfusion with each round of CPR. Epinephrine helps by constricting blood vessels, which raises aortic diastolic pressure and improves perfusion pressure to the heart and brain. The recommended practice is to give 1 mg IV or IO every 3–5 minutes, aligning with the CPR cycle so perfusion support is provided consistently with ongoing chest compressions. Giving it more frequently hasn’t shown added benefit and can increase myocardial workload or adverse effects, while waiting longer diminishes perfusion during CPR.

During cardiac arrest, the aim is to repeatedly boost coronary and cerebral perfusion with each round of CPR. Epinephrine helps by constricting blood vessels, which raises aortic diastolic pressure and improves perfusion pressure to the heart and brain. The recommended practice is to give 1 mg IV or IO every 3–5 minutes, aligning with the CPR cycle so perfusion support is provided consistently with ongoing chest compressions. Giving it more frequently hasn’t shown added benefit and can increase myocardial workload or adverse effects, while waiting longer diminishes perfusion during CPR.