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Too Much of a Good Thing? Epinephrine on Trial!

Journal of Perinatology volume 25, pages 223–224 (2005)Cite this article

To the Editor:

Campbell et al. present their experience with the usage of epinephrine in the setting of cardiopulmonary arrest and also as a cardiotropic infusion for extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW) ⩾750 g.1 On the basis of poor survival rates and dismal neurodevelopmental outcome, they advise “extreme caution”, related to the usage of catecholamine infusions in this population. While not disagreeing entirely with their conclusions, the use of “extreme caution” is misleading, as this implies possible adverse effects of the therapy, and perhaps emphasizing the “appropriateness” of these acute interventions would improve the clarity of their message. A recent review by Chamnanvanakij emphasizes the importance of both precipitating cause and duration of “no flow” state when assessing the outcome following cardiopulmonary resuscitation.2

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Hospital for Sick Children, Pediatrics, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, MSG1X8, Canada

    Patrick J McNamara MD, MRCPCH

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  1. Patrick J McNamara MD, MRCPCH
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McNamara, P. Too Much of a Good Thing? Epinephrine on Trial!. J Perinatol 25, 223–224 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211235

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