Male New Zealand rabbits (2.5–3.0 kg) were anesthetized using zolazepam, tiletamine, and pentobarbital (all 20–30 mg/kg IV). They received buprenorphine (30 μg/kg IV) for analgesia. Animals were intubated and mechanically ventilated. After the administration of rocuronium bromide (1 mg/kg IV), 2 electrodes were implanted upon the inner muscular wall or inserted into the esophagus, respectively. Body temperatures and ECG were monitored as well as systemic blood pressure through a catheter inserted into the ear artery. After a period of stabilization, an alternative current (12 V, 4 mA; 2.5 minutes) was delivered between the 2 electrodes to induce ventricular fibrillation. Concomitantly, mechanical ventilation was stopped. After 10 minutes of untreated fibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed using external cardiac massage (200 external chest compressions/min), electric defibrillation (10 J/kg), and intravenous administration of epinephrine (15 μg/kg IV). After resumption of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), epinephrine administration was allowed to achieve a target mean blood pressure of 70 mm Hg. Animals were maintained under normothermic conditions thanks to thermal pads. Animals were followed during 2 to 72 hours according to the investigated parameters, that is, during 72 hours for the assessment of neurological recovery after awakening or during 2 to 6 hours without awakening for the evaluation of cerebral infiltration by immune cells or blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability after ROSC. In the recovery study (72 hours), rabbits received analgesics every day after CA (buprenorphine; 30 μg/kg IM).