Does amiodarone or lidocaine improve survival to hospital discharge after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia compared to placebo?
BEEM Bottom Line
Why is this study important?
Antiarrhythmic drugs are commonly administered intravenously (IV) for shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Amiodarone and lidocaine are associated with increased return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and increased survival to hospital admission but there is no evidence that either drug improves survival to hospital discharge or neurologic outcome.
Which, if any, threats to validity are most likely to have an impact on the results and how?
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