How often can epinephrine be administered during CPR?

Epinephrine is a critical medication used during pediatric advanced life support (PALS) in cases of cardiac arrest. The recommended interval for administering epinephrine is every 2 to 3 minutes during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This timing is established to ensure that the medication can exert its effects on increasing myocardial and cerebral perfusion pressure during resuscitation efforts while avoiding potential complications associated with more frequent dosing.

The rationale for every 2 to 3 minutes is based on the pharmacokinetics of epinephrine, which allows sufficient time for the medication to circulate and exert its effects on the heart and blood vessels. This timing aligns with updates and protocols established in the most recent resuscitation guidelines to improve outcomes in pediatric patients experiencing cardiac arrest.

Ensuring that epinephrine is administered within this timeframe allows for the optimization of resuscitative efforts, ultimately influencing the chances of restoring spontaneous circulation.