Effect of potassium chloride on restoration of spontaneous circulation and survival rate in rat with ventricular fibrillation

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of potassium chloride (KCl) before CPR on successful resuscitation of rats with ventricular fibrillation (VF). Methods Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with VF induced by alternating electricity current were randomly(ramdam runmber) divided into KCl group and normal saline (NS) group .Rats of two groups were prepared with 0.8 mL/kg of 2.5% KCl in KCl group and equivalent volume of NS in NS group instead before CPR. The resuscitation was considered to be failure if ROSC was absent for 10 min. The comparisons of time required for ROSC, the average attempt of defibrillation, the average joule used for defibrillation, ROSC rate and 72 h survival rate were carried out between the two groups. Results The length of time required for ROSC in the KCl group (n=10) was shorter than that in NS group (n=10) [(283.89±152.44)s vs. (404.38±164.27)s] (t=1.369, P=0.196). The average attempt of defibrillation in KCl group were fewer compared to the NS group [(1.50±0.75)times vs.(2.66±0.57)times, (t=2.701, P=0.022)], the average joule used for defibrillation in KCl group were less compared to NS group[ (3.75±2.86)J vs.(8.33±2.88)J, (t=2.78, P=0.019)]. The ROSC rate in the KCl group was higher than that in NS group (P=0.011). The 72 h survival rate in KCl group was higher than that in NS group (P=0.001). Conclusions Increasing plasma potassium level before CPR could increase the ROSC rate and survival rate in rats with VF. Key words: Fibrillation; CPR; KCl; ROSC time; Theaverage number ofdefibrillation; Theaverage energy of defibrillation; ROSC rate; Survival rate