Evaluation of LUCAS, a new device for automatic mechanical compression and active decompression resuscitation.
LUCAS is a new gas-driven CPR device providing automatic chest compression and active decompression. In an artificial thorax model, superior pressure and flow were obtained with LUCAS compared with manual CPR. In a randomized study on pigs with induced ventricular fibrillation significantly higher cardiac output, carotid artery blood flow, end-tidal CO(2), intrathoracic decompression-phase aortic- and coronary perfusion pressures were obtained with LUCAS-CPR (83% ROSC) compared to manual CPR (0% ROSC). In normothermic fibrillating pigs, the ROSC rate was 100% after 15 min and 38% after 60 min of LUCAS-CPR (no drug treatment). The ROSC rate increased to 75% if surface cooling to 34 degrees C was applied during the first 30 min of the 1-h resuscitation period. Experience with the first 20 patients has shown that LUCAS is light (6.5 kg), easy to handle, quick to apply (10-20 s), maintains a correct position, and works optimally during transport both on stretchers and in ambulances. In one hospital patient with a witnessed asystole where manual CPR failed, LUCAS-CPR achieved ROSC within 3 min. One year later the patient's mental capacity was fully intact. To conclude, LUCAS-CPR gives significantly better circulation during ventricular fibrillation than manual CPR.
Steen
Stig
S
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart-Lung Division, University Hospital of Lund, Sweden. stig.steen@thorax.lu.se
Liao
Qiuming
Q
Pierre
Leif
L
Paskevicius
Audrius
A
Sjöberg
Trygve
T
D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D023421:Models, Animal; D011312:Pressure; D013552:Swine; D013909:Thorax