Closed Chest Resuscitation

Abstract

The technique of External Cardiac Massage (Closed Chest Resuscitation) has provided a simple means for artificially circulating blood when there is inadequate or absent cardiac action. The simplicity of the method and ready application without special equipment, however, may cause it to be used in situations where conditions do not warrant resuscitation; for example, in patients expiring of cancer or those where circulatory arrest occurred longer than six minutes before. Likewise it may be used unnecessarily where respiratory resuscitation only is required. Since trauma to the thoracic cage and occasional damage to the internal organs can occur, especially in the hands of the novice, it might be dangerous in such situations.

The first aid portion of external cardiopulmonary resuscitation: diagnosis of need, artificial ventilation, and artificial circulation, should be known to all involved in any manner in medical care. Such first aid treatment is more vitally life-saving than any other first aid procedure. Properly and continually applied, the patient can be delivered safely to the physician for steps in re-institution of spontaneous respiratory and cardiac action.