Introducing EpiDOSE: Epinephrine Dose: Optimal versus Standard Evaluation Trial

EpiDOSE is the acronym for the Epinephrine Dose: Optimal versus Standard Evaluation clinical trial.

It is a randomized controlled trial initiated by Dr. Paul Dorian and Dr. Steve Lin at St. Michael’s Hospital, in collaboration with physicians, paramedics, patients, families, and researchers across Canada.

The study is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada’s federal funding source for health research.

Research Goal

The goal of EpiDOSE is to test how effective a lower total dose of epinephrine is compared to the current standard on survival in adults who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

The current usual dose (or standard dose) that most patients receive is 1mg of epinephrine every 3 to 5 minutes until return of spontaneous circulation or termination of resuscitation (unlimited total).

The lower dose used in this study is up to 2mg total. There has been some research to show that this dose may be beneficial. However, currently the optimal total dose of epinephrine during an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is unknown.

Epinephrine in Cardiac Arrest

Epinephrine also called Adrenaline, is a Health Canada approved medication used in cardiac arrest that works by increasing blood flow to the heart helping it to start beating again. Although epinephrine can help restart the heart, higher doses may also be harmful to the brain.

You may have questions about the EpiDOSE trial and we want to answer them as best we can. Visit our About EpiDOSE page for more information about the study and our Resources page for links, relevant publications, and videos about all things cardiac arrest related.