• Antonia Stefaniotou, Giolanda Varvarousi, Dimitrios P Varvarousis, and Theodoros Xanthos.
• MSc Program Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, University of Athens, Medical School, Greece, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece.
• Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2014 Jul 5; 734: 42-9.

AbstractThe outcome for both in-hospital and out-of hospital cardiac arrest remains dismal. Vasopressors are used to increase coronary perfusion pressure and thus facilitate return of spontaneous circulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, they are associated with a number of potential adverse effects and may decrease endocardial and cerebral organ blood flow. Nitroglycerin has a favourable haemodynamic profile which promotes forward blood flow. Several studies suggest that combined use of nitroglycerin with vasopressors during resuscitation, is associated with increased rates of resuscitation and improved post-resuscitation outcome. This article reviews the effects of nitroglycerin during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and postresuscitation period, as well as the beneficial outcomes of a combination regimen consisting of a vasopressor and a vasodilator, such as nitroglycerin.Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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