The Association Between Ventricular Fibrillation and Serum Catecholamine Levels

Background and objective Epinephrine (Ep) is the first choice as a vasoconstrictor in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for patients with cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA); however, the Ep concentration in the serum of CPA patients is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum Ep levels and achieving the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients with ventricular fibrillation (VF). Methods This was a prospective, observational clinical study involving OHCA patients with VF transferred to our hospital from July 2014 to July 2017. The measurement of serum catecholamines [Ep, norepinephrine (Nep), and dopamine (DOA)] and vasopressin [antidiuretic hormone (ADH)] levels was performed with blood samples obtained immediately upon patients' arrival at our hospital. Patients were classified into two groups: the ROSC(+) group and ROSC(-) group; the serum concentrations of catecholamines and ADH were compared between these two groups. Results The serum Ep and Nep levels were lower in the ROSC(+) group than those in the ROSC(-) group and the difference was statistically significant. On the other hand, no significant differences were found in serum DOA and ADH levels between the two groups. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that an increment in serum Ep levels does not promote achieving ROSC in OHCA patients with VF.