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Push-Dose Epi

Push-dose epinephrine, or low-dose bolus epinephrine, can be given safely in adults and children. In children, consider for severe anaphylaxis or asthma resistant to IM administration, or for peri-intubation.

Take 1 mL crash-cart cardiac epinephrine (1:10 000) and mix dilute with 9 mL of normal saline. Then, label it! Do not set down unlabeled push-dose epi.
Alternate method: use the epinephrine vial. Waste 9 mL epinephrine, use 3-way stopcock to add 9 mL normal saline into the almost-empty epinephrine vial
The resultant 1: 100 000 solution
Push 1 mcg/kg every 1-2 minutes

Selected References

Cole JB, Knack SK, Karl ER, Horton GB, Satpathy R, Driver BE. Human Errors and Adverse Hemodynamic Events Related to “Push Dose Pressors” in the Emergency Department. J Med Toxicol. 2019 Oct;15(4):276-286. doi: 10.1007/s13181-019-00716-z. Epub 2019 Jul 3. PMID: 31270748; PMCID: PMC6825064.

Reiter PD, Roth J, Wathen B, LaVelle J, Ridall LA. Low-Dose Epinephrine Boluses for Acute Hypotension in the PICU. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2018 Apr;19(4):281-286. doi: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000001448. PMID: 29319635.

Ross CE, Asaro LA, Wypij D, Holland CC, Donnino MW, Kleinman ME. Physiologic response to pre-arrest bolus dilute epinephrine in the pediatric intensive care unit. Resuscitation. 2018 May;126:137-142. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2018.03.011. Epub 2018 Mar 8. PMID: 29526678; PMCID: PMC6441975.

Ross CE, Hayes MM, Kleinman ME, Donnino MW, Sullivan AM. Peri-arrest bolus epinephrine practices amongst pediatric resuscitation experts. Resusc Plus. 2022 Jan 14;9:100200. doi: 10.1016/j.resplu.2021.100200. PMID: 35072126; PMCID: PMC8763627.

Weiss SL, Peters MJ, Alhazzani W, Agus MSD, Flori HR, Inwald DP, Nadel S, Schlapbach LJ, Tasker RC, Argent AC, Brierley J, Carcillo J, Carrol ED, Carroll CL, Cheifetz IM, Choong K, Cies JJ, Cruz AT, De Luca D, Deep A, Faust SN, De Oliveira CF, Hall MW, Ishimine P, Javouhey E, Joosten KFM, Joshi P, Karam O, Kneyber MCJ, Lemson J, MacLaren G, Mehta NM, Møller MH, Newth CJL, Nguyen TC, Nishisaki A, Nunnally ME, Parker MM, Paul RM, Randolph AG, Ranjit S, Romer LH, Scott HF, Tume LN, Verger JT, Williams EA, Wolf J, Wong HR, Zimmerman JJ, Kissoon N, Tissieres P. Surviving sepsis campaign international guidelines for the management of septic shock and sepsis-associated organ dysfunction in children. Intensive Care Med. 2020 Feb;46(Suppl 1):10-67. doi: 10.1007/s00134-019-05878-6. PMID: 32030529; PMCID: PMC7095013.