Cardiac Arrest
Conditions
Brief summary
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is used to maintain adequate perfusion of vital organs in cardiac arrest patients and is fundamental for the neurological outcome and survival of these individuals. Unfortunately, the quality of CPR may be inadequate due largely to ineffective chest compressions resulting from rescuer fatigue and interruptions in compressions. The LUCAS device (Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System, Jolife, Lund, Sweden), introduced in 2002, is the most extensively tested and applied automated alternative to manual CPR for in-hospital care of cardiac arrest patients and during ambulance transfer; the feasibility of application of this device in helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) operations, however, has never been addressed. The objective of this project is to equip the three active rescue helicopters in South Tyrol with the LUCAS 2 mechanical chest compression device to answer the question: What is the feasibility and efficiency of using this device for prolonged CPR in cardiac arrest patients requiring CPR during HEMS rescue operations and transport?
Detailed description
This is a non-controlled, observational study. Physiological endpoints: MAP (mean arterial pressure); etCO2 (end-tidal expiratory pCO2); ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation); PaO2 (arterial pO2); PaCO2 (arterial pCO2); endpoints to assess feasibility: time from arrival to start of mechanical compressions, problems during transfer into the helicopter and in-field manoeuvers, problems with application of device, problems with patient transfer to hospital premises, hands-off time, personnel requirements.
Interventions
Sponsors
Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* cardiac arrest with indication of CPR * informed consent for those regaining legal competence
Exclusion criteria
* declaration of death on site * contraindications of using the device * age \<18 y
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Time from arrival of rescue team to start of mechanical compressions | assessed immediatly after the operation is concluded |
| Presence of abdominal or thoracic lesions caused by automated chest compressor | Assessed at clinical examination during hospital stay (day 1 to day 30) or autopsy |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Return of spontaneous circulation | Could be each moment during CPR |
| Mean arterial pressure | At hospital arrival (expected between 5 minutes and 1 hour from start CPR) |
| Arterial pCO2 | At hospital arrival (expected between 5 minutes and 1 hour from start CPR) |
| Arterial pO2 | At hospital arrival (expected between 5 minutes and 1 hour from start CPR) |
| End-tidal expiratory pCO2 | At hospital arrival (expected between 5 minutes and 1 hour from start CPR) |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed