Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the use of erythropoietin (EPO) to facilitate resuscitation from cardiac arrest. For a mammalian subject suffering from cardiac arrest, concurrent administration of EPO with resuscitation after the onset of ventricular fibrillation facilitates the resuscitation. Administration of EPO serves to attenuate myocardial abnormalities caused by cardiac arrest and the resuscitation efforts and favor improved resuscitation outcomes. The main effect of EPO that facilitates resuscitation is the preservation of left ventricular myocardial distensibility leading to improve left ventricular preload and the amount of blood ejected by chest compression. This effect enables higher coronary perfusion pressures to be generated resulting in a higher rate of return of spontaneous circulation and higher survival rates. The very same effect enables the return of spontaneous circulation to occur faster reducing the time a human subject is in cardiac arrest.