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(Circulation. 2003;108:e9047.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cardiovascular News

Ruth SoRelle, MPH

Circulation Newswriter

An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract.

The Plunger, Fine Tuned

Use of an active compression-decompression device combined with an inspiratory impedance threshold device improved 1-hour and 24-hour survival in 103 patients who received that form of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) versus 107 who received standard CPR, according to researchers in this week’s issue of the journal Circulation ( Circulation. 2003;108:2201–2205[Abstract/Free Full Text]).

The active compression-decompression device is handheld, with a suction cup that attaches to the chest and a gauge that helps evaluate the force needed for effective compression and decompression, which creates a vacuum within the chest. The vacuum draws more blood back into the heart, which then results in more blood flowing out during compression. Sometimes, air that is drawn in during decompression can reduce the volume of blood drawn into the heart.

The impedance threshold device is a small, 35-mL device that fits on a face mask or an endotracheal tube. Its pressure-sensitive valves limit the inflow of air during chest decompression, allowing more blood to come into the thorax area, noted the researchers, who were led by Benno B. Wolcke, MD, of the Johannes Gutenberg University Medical School Clinic of Anesthesiology in Mainz, Germany.

Keith G. Lurie, MD, the developer of the active compression-decompression and impedance threshold devices, is a coauthor on the article and developed the technology in collaboration with Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc, of Eden Prairie, Minn. Dr Lurie is now with the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Minnesota and Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. Also collaborating on the article was . . . [Full Text of this Article]