For the last 20 years, pediatric cardiac arrest guidelines have followed adult cardiac life support recommendations for the use of anti-arrhythmics due to an absence of high quality pediatric data.1 Most pediatric cardiac arrests are fundamentally different in etiology from adult cardiac arrests, suggesting the need for better evidence to support pediatric-specific treatment recommendations. In addition, the drugs in question are not without important side effects when used for some etiologies of pediatric shockable cardiac arrest (e.g. Amiodarone and Prolonged QT syndrome). For this reason, we applaud the investigators for researching this important topic and so rigorously analyzing the data.

1. Link M.S., Berkow L.C., Kudenchuk P.J., et al. (2015). Part 7: adult advanced cardiovascular life support: 2015 American Heart Association guidelines update for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. Circulation, 132: S444-64.