Hemodynamics, survival benefits, and complications of interposed abdominal compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: To review and describe the hemodynamics and mechanisms of benefit of interposed abdominal compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation (IAC-CPR) as well as the current complications and survival data with the use of IAC-CPR. METHODS: Critical review of selected, published English-language studies analyzing IAC-CPR. Overview of hemodynamic effects, complications, and survival data of IAC-CPR vs standard CPR. RESULTS: Several investigators have demonstrated improvements in coronary perfusion, carotid and cerebral blood flows, and augmented venous return using IAC-CPR compared with standard CPR. Recently, IAC-CPR has been shown to improve survival from in-hospital cardiac arrest. To date, there has been no increase in complications seen with the use of abdominal compression during CPR. RECOMMENDATIONS: IAC-CPR should be considered an adjunct to standard CPR for adult patients experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest, after an adequate airway has been secured. More research is needed before IAC-CPR can be recommended for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, for patients who have not been intubated, or for children.

Interposed abdominal compression-cardiopulmonary resuscitation and resuscitation outcome during asystole and electromechanical dissociation.

BACKGROUND: Coronary perfusion pressure has been shown to be a significant determinant of return of spontaneous circulation from cardiac arrest during asystole and electromechanical dissociation. The addition of interposed abdominal compression to otherwise standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) increases coronary perfusion pressure in animal and human models. METHODS AND RESULTS: Accordingly, we conducted a randomized prospective study of 143 consecutive patients experiencing cardiac arrest in a large university-affiliated teaching hospital in whom the initial arrest rhythm was asystole or electromechanical dissociation. Patients were randomized to receive either interposed abdominal compression-CPR or standard CPR. The two end points studied were return of spontaneous circulation and 24-hour survival. In addition, we studied the complications associated with interposed abdominal compression-CPR. Sixty-nine men and 74 women with a mean age of 64 years (range, 19-97 years) were studied. The overall rate of return of spontaneous circulation was 38%. Return of spontaneous circulation was significantly greater in the group receiving interposed abdominal compression-CPR compared with the group receiving standard CPR (49% versus 28%, p = 0.01). At 24 hours, there was a significantly greater number of patients alive in the experimental group than in the control group (33% versus 13%, p = 0.009). We found no complication directly related to the procedure of interposed abdominal compression in a small subset of patients who died and underwent necropsy. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the addition of interposed abdominal compression may be a useful adjunct to otherwise standard CPR that can improve resuscitation outcome of patients experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest from asystole and electromechanical dissociation.

Survival from in-hospital cardiac arrest with interposed abdominal counterpulsation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: --To determine whether interposed abdominal counterpulsation (IAC) during standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves outcome in patients experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest. DESIGN AND SETTING: --Randomized controlled trial in a university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: --Patients experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest during a 6-month period. INTERVENTIONS: --Patients were randomized to receive either IAC during CPR or standard CPR in the event of cardiac arrest. Abdominal compressions were performed during the relaxation phase of chest compression, corresponding to CPR diastole, at a rate of 80/min to 100/min. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: --The three end points studied were (1) return of spontaneous circulation, (2) survival 24 hours after resuscitation, and (3) survival to hospital discharge. In addition, we examined neurological outcome in those patients surviving to hospital discharge. RESULTS: --During the study period there were 135 resuscitation attempts in 103 patients. Return of spontaneous circulation was significantly greater in the group receiving IAC during CPR than in the group receiving standard CPR (51% vs 27%, P = .007). At hospital discharge, a significantly greater proportion of patients was alive in the IAC group than in the control group (25% vs 7%, P = .02). Eight (17%) of 48 patients who received IAC during CPR survived to hospital discharge neurologically intact, compared with only three (6%) of 55 patients from the standard CPR group (not significant). CONCLUSIONS: --We conclude that the addition of IAC to standard CPR may improve meaningful survival following in-hospital cardiac arrest. The optimal use of this technique awaits further clinical trials.

Encainide-induced encephalopathy in a patient with chronic renal failure.

A report of encainide-induced encephalopathy in a patient with chronic renal failure is presented. Drug encephalopathy has been previously reported with various agents, but not with encainide. The patient improved after withdrawal of encainide.