Centhaquin Effects in a Swine Model of Ventricular Fibrillation: Centhaquin and Cardiac Arrest

Centhaquin citrate is a novel agent being developed for use in the treatment of haemorrhagic shock. The aim of our study was to assess whether the administration of centhaquin would improve initial resuscitation success, 24-hour survival, and neurologic outcome compared with adrenaline alone in a porcine model of ventricular fibrillation.

Ventricular fibrillation was induced in 20 healthy Landrace/Large White piglets. The animals were randomised to receive placebo plus adrenaline 0.02mg/kg (n=10, Group C) and adrenaline 0.02mg/kg plus centhaquin 0.015mg/kg (n=10, Group S). All animals were resuscitated according to the 2010 European Resuscitation Council guidelines. Haemodynamic variables were measured before arrest, during arrest and resuscitation, and during the first two hours after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Survival and a neurologic alertness score were measured at 24hours after ROSC.

A significant difference was observed in ROSC rate between the two groups, as 10 animals (100%) from Group S and 4 animals (40%) from Group C achieved ROSC (p=0.011). Systolic, diastolic, and mean aortic pressure and coronary perfusion pressure were significantly higher in Group S at the end of the second cycle of CPR. In our study, all subjects with ROSC survived for 24hours, while we observed no statistically significant differences in neurologic examination (Group C 100±0, Group S 96±12.64; p=0.527).

The addition of centhaquin to adrenaline improved ROSC rates in a swine model of VF cardiac arrest.