title: CPR-dependent consciousness: evidence for cardiac compression causing forward flow.
abstract: We present the case of a patient with cardiac arrest and resuscitation in whom, consistent with direct cardiac compression, large aortic-to-right atrial systolic pressure gradients occurred. Forward blood flow during CPR was sufficient for the patient to maintain consciousness. Although aortic-to-right atrial diastolic gradients adequate to maintain coronary perfusion in experimental models were generated, in our patient, cardiac function could not be restored and the resuscitation was ultimately unsuccessful.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202.
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Lewinter
authors: D L
authors: DL
authors: Carden
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Nowak
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Enriquez
authors: G B
authors: GB
authors: Martin
mesh_terms: D001775:Blood Circulation; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003243:Consciousness; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*