Adrenaline key to cardiac survival

A SHOT of adrenaline to the heart as soon as possible after a cardiac arrest could double a patient’s survival chances.

Adrenaline is carried by UK paramedics, but under current guidelines a shot of the natural hormone – which increases blood flow to the heart – is given only in a last-ditch attempt to save a life when all other treatments have failed.

Typically, in a bid to kick-start a patient’s heart, paramedics will first carry out CPR, or chest compressions, followed by at least three defibrillator shocks, before giving adrenaline.

Researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago analysed the records of nearly 6,500 American adults who suffered cardiac arrest and found that those who received an injection of adrenaline within four minutes of a heart attack were twice as likely to survive as those who did not. They also found that those who received the adrenaline shot and survived were twice as likely to see their heartbeat and blood flow return to healthy levels afterwards.

Doctors say the findings are significant, given the current lengthy waits for ambulances in the UK.

Latest NHS figures show that those suffering from lifethreatening conditions such as cardiac arrest are now waiting nearly ten minutes for a paramedic to arrive. If no treatment is given, just 12 per cent of those will survive.

Dr Fozia Ahmed, consultant cardiologist at the Manchester Heart Centre, told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Defibrillators can now be found in football stadiums and in shopping malls for members of the public to use in case of a cardiac arrest. Perhaps in the future we’ll store adrenaline pens alongside them.’