[Mechanical measures for cardiopulmonary resuscitation]

Abstract

Recent investigations concerning different techniques in respiratory and circulatory assistance during CPR lead to the following conclusions: Ventilation should start with two slow insufflations. To minimize ventilation pressure, insufflation should be performed in a pause between compressions for 1-1 1/2 seconds in two rescuer CPR. Due to the high arterio-venous gradient in pH and pCO2 during CPR, arterial blood gas analysis is only useful for evaluation for ventilatory efficiency and oxygenation. Acid-base dysregulation can better be determined in mixed and central venous blood. Blood flow during resuscitation seems to be generated by direct ventricular compression and thoracic pump mechanisms. Which mechanism is dominant seems to be interindividually different. Therefore a compression time of 50% of the compression cycle should be maintained.