Persistent ventricular fibrillation during therapeutic hypothermia and prolonged high-dose vasopressor therapy: Case report

Joshua C. Poles, Tyler F. Vadeboncoeur, Bentley J. Bobrow

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Recent emphasis on high quality prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation has resulted in more out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims surviving to the emergency department. As such, standardized in-hospital post-cardiac arrest care is necessary to assure optimal neurological recovery. Although therapeutic hypothermia has arisen as a key component in the post-cardiac arrest care paradigm, its interaction with other therapies remains poorly defined. Objective: The purpose of this communication is to demonstrate a potential interaction between therapeutic hypothermia and routinely administered resuscitation medications. Case Report: We present a case of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation in a previously healthy 36-year-old man who developed persistent ventricular fibrillation in the setting of mild therapeutic hypothermia and high doses of routine resuscitation medications. Conclusion: This case illustrates the importance of understanding the potential interaction between therapeutic hypothermia and resuscitation medications along with the need for a systematic and standardized, multi-disciplinary approach to post-cardiac arrest care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)36-40
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Emergency Medicine
Volume43
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • dobutamine
  • dopamine
  • drug metabolism
  • therapeutic hypothermia
  • ventricular fibrillation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine

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