Selected controversies in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed frequently by paramedics, emergency department personnel, and inpatient physicians. Unfortunately, after more than 40 years of practice and study, there are still many controversies and unresolved treatment issues. This article focuses on four current controversies in CPR: (1) the role of end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) detection, (2) the use of bicarbonate, (3) whether epinephrine is the optimal alpha agonist, and (4) whether amiodarone should replace lidocaine as the initial antiarrhythmic of choice in the treatment of ventricular fibrillation.