We present a case of resuscitation of a 38-year-old lady with ventricular fibrillation using the Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS), a mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device. Return of spontaneous circulation was obtained after prolonged resuscitation but the patient eventually succumbed nine days after admission to the coronary care unit. The role of mechanical CPR devices in resuscitation in the accident and emergency department is discussed.
American Heart Association.2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care, Part 4: Adult basic life support. Circulation [Online]. [Cited 2007 Dec 10]. Available from: http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/112/24_suppl/IV-19
3.
AshtonA., McCluskeyA., GwinnuttC.L., KeenanA.M.Effect of rescuer fatigue on performance of continuous external chest compression over 3 minutes. Resuscitation2002; 55(2): 151–5.
4.
CooperJ.A., CooperJ.D., CooperJ.M.Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: history, current practice and future direction. Circulation2006; 114(25): 2839–49.
5.
SteenS., LiaoQ., PierreL., PaskeviciusA., SjöbergT.Evaluation of LUCAS, a new device for automatic mechanical compression and active decompression resuscitation. Resuscitation2002; 55(3): 285–99.
6.
RubertssonS., KarlstenR.Increased cortical cerebral blood flow with LUCAS, a new device for mechanical chest compressions compared to standard external compressions during experimental CPR. Resuscitation2005; 65(3): 357–63.
7.
SteenS., SjöbergT., OlssonP., YoungM.Treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with LUCAS, a new device for automatic mechanical compression and active decompression. Resuscitation2005; 67(1): 25–30.
8.
TimermanS., CardosoL.F., RamiresJ.A., HalperinH.Improved hemodynamic performance with a novel chest compression device during treatment of in-hospital cardiac arrest. Resuscitation2004; 61(3): 273–80.
9.
OngM.E., OrnatoJ.P., EdwardsD.P.Use of an automated, load-distributing band chest compression device for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest resuscitation. JAMA2006; 295(22): 2629–37.
10.
HallstromA., ReaT.D., SayreM.R., ChristensonJ., AntonA.R., MosessoV.N.JrManual chest compression vs use of an automated chest compression device during resuscitation following out of hospital cardiac arrest, a randomized trial. JAMA2006; 295(22): 2620–8.
11.
American Heart Association.2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care, Part 7.2: Management of cardiac arrest. Circulation2005; 112; IV-58–IV-66.
