Successful resuscitation from recurrent ventricular fibrillation secondary to butane inhalation.

Resuscitation from cardiac arrest caused by volatile substance abuse is rarely successful. Large doses of catecholamines given during resuscitation, in the presence of butane, may cause recurrent ventricular fibrillation. We report a case of prolonged resuscitation in a young man who had inhaled butane. Cardiac output was restored 10 min after the administration of intravenous amiodarone. We suggest that antiarrhythmic agents should be used early during resuscitation to prevent recurrent arrhythmias.