Description

IM epinephrine may provide a more efficient means of administering the initial epinephrine dose (versus IV/IO administration) to a child experiencing pediatric out of hospital cardiac arrest (POHCA) with no greater risk of harm. In so doing, this may improve the short- and long-term outcomes of these patients. There is an abundance of literature detailing the risk/benefit profile of IM epinephrine use in anaphylaxis; however, there is no human data on this topic as it relates to cardiac arrest. Important knowledge gaps include whether the use of IM epinephrine via autoinjector and/or pre-filled syringe leads to faster administration of the initial doses of epinephrine without delaying time to definitive epinephrine (via IV/IO) and the impact on time to initial and sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). This trial will be the first to examine the role of IM epinephrine via autoinjector/pre-filled syringe in POHCA.