Use of an automatic mechanical chest compression device (LUCAS) as a bridge to establishing cardiopulmonary bypass for a patient with hypothermic cardiac arrest.
We report the case of a victim of deep accidental hypothermia who was extracted from the ice and received 1.5 h of mechanical chest compression. This was followed with rapid rewarming on cardiopulmonary bypass and resulted in good physical and mental recovery. This management option should be considered for similar victims.
The National Competence Center for Emergency Medicine, Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. lars@nakos.org
Lars
L
Wik
Steinar
S
Kiil
D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function; D017694:Rewarming / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome