Effects of Potassium-Lidocaine–Induced Cardiac Standstill During Conventional Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in a Pig Model of Prolonged Ventricular Fibrillation

Abstract

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) greatly increases myocardial energy demands relative to energy supply because the fibrillating heart continues to consume energy. The concept of potassium-induced cardiac standstill came from potassium-based cardioplegia during cardiac surgery. Potassium depolarization induces total electrical and mechanical standstill, thus minimizing energy consumption and contributing to the maintenance of high-energy phosphate and substrate stores. Several studies in patients who underwent open-heart surgery found that myocardial ischemic damage was reduced by potassium cardioplegia combined with lidocaine infusion.