The use of anti-arrhythmic agents in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Cardiac arrest is a major cause of unexpected sudden death in adults. In the majority of cases an arrhythmia is the primary cause. A multitude of agents have been used in the treatment of ventricular fibrillation and asystole during cardiac arrest. At present there is no evidence to indicate that any of these agents ultimately improve the final outcome in humans. Prevention, competent basic life support and rapid defibrillation for patients in ventricular fibrillation remain the mainstays of treatment for cardiac arrest.