Whether a longer no-flow (NF) interval affects the magnitude of response to epinephrine in the resuscitation has not been well studied. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of NF interval on the vasopressor effect of initial epinephrine administration in a porcine model.

We enrolled 20 pigs from two randomized porcine experimental studies using a ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrest model. The first experiment subjects were resuscitated after 4 min of NF (Short NF group), followed by three cycles (6 min) of chest compression using a mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation device before epinephrine administration. Second experiment subjects received 6 min of NF (Long NF group), two cycles (4 min) of chest compressions, and administration of epinephrine. Defibrillation for VF was delivered 8 and 10 min after VF induction in the Short NF and Long NF groups, respectively. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CePP) in the 2-min resuscitation period after epinephrine administration were compared between the study groups using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The mean differences in the parameters between phases were also compared.

Seven pigs in the Short NF group and 13 pigs in the Long NF group were included in the analysis. All 2-min resuscitation phases from 6 to 16 min after VF induction were compared between the study groups. The Short NF group showed higher MAP and CePP in all phases (p < 0.01). Change of mean MAP after the epinephrine administration was significantly different between the study groups: mean difference (95% confidence interval) of 16.6 (15.8–17.4) mmHg in the Short NF group and 4.2 (3.9–4.5) mmHg in the Long NF group.

In the porcine VF cardiac arrest model, 6 min of NF before resuscitation may affect the vasopressor effect of the initial epinephrine administered compared to 4 min of NF. A short NF may play a role in maximizing the effect of epinephrine in advanced cardiovascular life support.