The main complication of administering medications by the ET route arises from the “depot effect.” Epinephrine, atropine, vasopressin, and lidocaine have been observed to be absorbed in a prolonged fashion, much like a continuous intravenous infusion. This phenomenon has been attributed to local vasoconstriction (epinephrine), poor lung perfusion, vascular congestion due to markedly diminished cardiac output, and comorbid conditions (e.g., pulmonary edema, atelectasis, COPD, etc.) present at the time of the arrest. However, this sustained drug effect has also been observed in nonarrest patients.8 The result, in the case of epinephrine, is prolonged hypertension, malignant arrhythmias, and tachycardia in the postresuscitative period.36,41 Endotracheal atropine can cause sustained tachycardia.5,42 Endotracheal vasopressin can cause sustained bradycardia, prompting experiments with prophylactic atropine.10 These prolonged effects may hinder both cerebral and cardiac recovery once return of spontaneous circulation is established.42