title: [Mechanical cardiac massage].
abstract: Continuous delivery of high-quality chest compressions is the most important and difficult part of resuscitation. Two automatic mechanical chest compression devices - LUCAS and Autopulse - have been implemented in Denmark in order to optimize the circulation in patients with cardiac arrest. In spite of some practical benefits, improved haemodynamics in animal models, and a possible increase in short-term survival, none of the devices improved the long-term survival or neurological outcome in patients with cardiac arrest. Future randomized trials are crucial.
authors.affiliation: Rigshospitalet, HovedOrtoCentret 4231, Anaestesi- og Operationsklinikken, Akutlaegebilen København. pilhoejgaard@gmail.com
authors.forename: Pil Højgaard
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Steen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barnung
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steinmetz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006336:Heart Massage / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome