PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Volker Wenzel

Publications and source records attributed to Volker Wenzel.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Effects of vasopressin on left anterior descending coronary artery blood flow during extremely low cardiac output.

UNLABELLED: Because of the possibility of vasopressin-mediated coronary vasospasm, this study was designed to assess effects of vasopressin compared to saline placebo on left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery blood flow. Twelve anaesthetized domestic swine were prepared for LAD coronary artery blood flow measurement with ultrasonic flow probes, using cardiopulmonary by-pass adjusted to 10% of the prearrest cardiac output. This 10% value approximates that reported for cardiac output during conventional closed-chest CPR. After 4 min of untreated ventricular fibrillation, and 3 min of cardiopulmonary by-pass blood flow, 12 pigs were randomly assigned to receive intravenously, every 5 min, either vasopressin (0.4, 0.4, and 0.8 U/kg; n = 6) or saline placebo (n = 6). The mean +/- S.D. LAD coronary artery blood flow in the vasopressin and placebo pigs was comparable before cardiac arrest, and during cardiopulmonary by-pass low flow; but increased significantly (P < 0.05) 90 s after each of three vasopressin injections compared to placebo (78 +/- 1 versus 42 +/- 2 ml/min; 62 +/- 2 versus 36 +/- 1 ml/min; and 54 +/- 1 versus 27 +/- 1 ml/min), respectively. Coronary vascular resistance decreased significantly (P < 0.05 ) 90 s after each of three vasopressin and placebo injections. In this model, repeated bolus administration of vasopressin, given during simulated extremely low cardiac output improved LAD coronary artery blood flow to prearrest levels without affecting coronary vascular resistance. CONCLUSIONS: during extremely low blood flow using cardiopulmonary by-pass, vasopressin improves LAD coronary artery blood flow without affecting coronary vascular resistance.

Animals↗

Effects of decreasing peak flow rate on stomach inflation during bag-valve-mask ventilation.

Reducing inspiratory flow rate and peak airway pressure may be important in order to minimise the risk of stomach inflation when ventilating an unprotected airway with positive pressure ventilation. This study was designed to yield enough power to determine whether employing an inspiratory gas flow limiting bag-valve device (SMART BAG, O-Two Medical Technologies Inc., Ontario, Canada) would also decrease the likelihood of stomach inflation in an established bench model of a simulated unintubated respiratory arrest patient. The bench model consists of a training lung (lung compliance, 50 ml/cm H2O; airway resistance, 4 cm H2O/l/s) and a valve simulating lower oesophageal sphincter opening at a pressure of 19 cm H(2)O. One hundred and ninety-one emergency medicine physicians were requested to ventilate the manikin utilising a standard single-person technique for 1 min (respiratory rate, 12/min; Vt, 500 ml) with both a standard adult bag-valve-mask and the SMART BAG. The volunteers were blinded to the experimental design of the model until completion of the experimental protocol. The SMART BAG versus standard bag-valve-mask resulted in significantly (P < 0.001) lower (mean +/- S.D.) mean airway pressure (14 +/- 2 cm H2O versus 16 +/- 3 cm H2O), respiratory rates (13 +/- 3 breaths per min versus 14 +/- 4 breaths per min), incidence of stomach inflation (4.2% versus 38.7%) and median stomach inflation volumes (351 [range, 18-1211 ml] versus 1426 [20-5882 ml]); lung tidal volumes (538 +/- 97 ml versus 533 +/- 97 ml) were comparable. Inspiratory to expiratory ratios were significantly (P < 0.001) increased (1.7 +/- 0.5 versus 1.5 +/- 0.6). In conclusion, the SMART BAG reduced inspiratory flow, mean airway pressure and both the incidence and actual volume of stomach inflation compared with a standard bag-valve-mask device while maintaining delivered lung tidal volumes and increasing the inspiratory to expiratory ratio.

Equipment Design↗

Endocrinologic response to vasopressin infusion in advanced vasodilatory shock.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the endocrinologic response to a combined arginine vasopressin and norepinephrine (AVP/NE) infusion in advanced vasodilatory shock, and to examine the relationship between baseline plasma AVP concentrations and the hemodynamic response to AVP. DESIGN: Preliminary, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study. SETTING: Twenty-three-bed general and surgical intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Thirty-eight patients with advanced vasodilatory shock. Hemodynamic and laboratory data of 34 patients have already been presented in a recently published prospective, randomized, controlled study. INTERVENTIONS: Continuous AVP (4 units/hr) and NE infusion in study patients; NE infusion only in control patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At baseline, 24 hrs, and 48 hrs after randomization, plasma concentrations of AVP, adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, renin, angiotensin II, aldosterone, prolactin, endothelin I, and atrial natriuretic factor were determined. Hemodynamic variables were recorded at baseline and 1, 12, and 24 hrs after randomization. Linear mixed effects models were used to test for differences between groups. The relationship between AVP plasma concentrations and hemodynamic response to AVP was analyzed using linear regression analyses. AVP/NE patients exhibited significantly higher AVP (p <.001) and prolactin (p <.001) plasma concentrations during the study period; there were no significant differences in plasma concentrations of other hormones. No significant correlation was detected between plasma AVP concentrations and the increase in mean arterial pressure after 1 hr (Pearson's correlation coefficient =.134, p =.584) and after 24 hrs (Pearson's correlation coefficient = -.198, p =.417). There were further no correlations between AVP plasma concentrations and the 24-hr response to AVP therapy in heart rate (Pearson's correlation coefficient = -.065, p =.791), stroke volume index (Pearson's correlation coefficient = -.106, p =.687), and NE requirements (Pearson's correlation coefficient =.04, p =.869). CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results of this study indicate that a combined AVP and NE infusion increases prolactin plasma concentrations in advanced vasodilatory shock. Hemodynamic effects of AVP infusion are independent of baseline plasma AVP concentrations.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Vasopressin during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a progress report.

OBJECTIVE: In patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, circulating endogenous vasopressin concentrations were significantly higher in successfully resuscitated patients than in patients who died. These observations have prompted several investigations to assess the role of vasopressin to improve cardiopulmonary resuscitation management. DESIGN: Literature review. RESULTS: In the cardiopulmonary resuscitation laboratory, vasopressin improved vital organ blood flow, cerebral oxygen delivery, the probability of restoring spontaneous circulation, and neurologic recovery better than epinephrine. In pediatric preparations with asphyxia, epinephrine was superior to vasopressin, whereas in both pediatric pigs with ventricular fibrillation and adult porcine models with asphyxia, combinations of vasopressin and epinephrine proved to be highly effective. In addition, vasopressin enabled short- and long-term survival in a porcine model of uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock. In a recently published European, multiple-center trial, 1,219 adult patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were randomized to receive two injections of either 40 IU of vasopressin or 1 mg of epinephrine followed by additional epinephrine if needed. The clinical study did not confirm laboratory data showing vasopressin to be more effective than epinephrine in ventricular fibrillation and pulseless electrical activity, but vasopressin was superior to epinephrine in patients with asystole. Vasopressin followed by epinephrine was more effective than epinephrine alone in the treatment of refractory cardiac arrest. CONCLUSIONS: According to new data from the European vasopressin study, we suggest, first, the administration of 1 mg of epinephrine, followed alternately by 40 IU of vasopressin and 1 mg of epinephrine every 3 mins in adult cardiac arrest victims, regardless of the initial electrocardiographic rhythm.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support↗

Mechanical versus manual ventilation via a face mask during the induction of anesthesia: a prospective, randomized, crossover study.

UNLABELLED: One approach to make ventilation safer in an unprotected airway has been to limit tidal volumes; another one might be to limit peak airway pressure, although it is unknown whether adequate tidal volumes can be delivered. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of automatic pressure-controlled ventilation versus manual circle system face-mask ventilation regarding ventilatory variables in an unprotected airway. We studied 41 adults (ASA status I-II) in a prospective, randomized, crossover design with both devices during the induction of anesthesia. Respiratory variables were measured with a pulmonary monitor (CP-100). Pressure-controlled mask ventilation versus circle system ventilation resulted in lower (mean +/- SD) peak airway pressures (10.6 +/- 1.5 cm H(2)O versus 14.4 +/- 2.4 cm H(2)O; P < 0.001), delta airway pressures (8.5 +/- 1.5 cm H(2)O versus 11.9 +/- 2.3 cm H(2)O; P < 0.001), expiratory tidal volume (650 +/- 100 mL versus 680 +/- 100 mL; P = 0.001), minute ventilation (10.4 +/- 1.8 L/min versus 11.6 +/- 1.8 L/min; P < 0.001), and peak inspiratory flow rates (0.81 +/- 0.06 L/s versus 1.06 +/- 0.26 L/s; P < 0.001) but higher inspiratory time fraction (48% +/- 0.8% versus 33% +/- 7.7%; P < 0.001) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (34 +/- 3 mm Hg versus 33 +/- 4 mm Hg; not significant). We conclude that in this model of apneic patients with an unprotected airway, pressure-controlled ventilation resulted in reduced inspiratory peak flow rates and peak airway pressures when compared with circle system ventilation, thus providing an additional patient safety effect during mask ventilation. IMPLICATIONS: In this model of apneic patients with an unprotected airway, pressure-controlled ventilation resulted in reduced inspiratory peak flow rates and lower peak airway pressures when compared with circle system ventilation, thus providing an additional patient safety effect during face-mask ventilation.

Adolescent↗

A comparison of epinephrine and vasopressin in a porcine model of cardiac arrest after rapid intravenous injection of bupivacaine.

UNLABELLED: In a porcine model, we compared the efficacy of epinephrine, vasopressin, or the combination of epinephrine and vasopressin with that of saline placebo on the survival rate after bupivacaine-induced cardiac arrest. After the administration of 5 mg/kg of a 0.5% bupivacaine solution i.v., ventilation was interrupted for 3 +/- 1 min (mean +/- SD) until asystole occurred. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated after 1 min of cardiac arrest. After 2 min of CPR, 28 animals received, every 5 min, epinephrine; vasopressin; epinephrine combined with vasopressin; or placebo i.v.. Three minutes after each drug administration, up to 3 countershocks (3, 4, and 6 J/kg) were administered; all subsequent shocks were 6 J/kg. Blood was drawn throughout the experiment for the determination of plasma bupivacaine concentration. In the vasopressin/epinephrine combination group, all pigs survived (P < 0.01 versus placebo); in the vasopressin group 5 of 7, in the epinephrine group 4 of 7, and in the placebo group none of 7 swine survived. The plasma concentration of total bupivacaine showed no significant difference among groups. In this model of bupivacaine-induced cardiac arrest, CPR with a combination of vasopressin and epinephrine resulted in significantly better survival rates than in the placebo group. IMPLICATIONS: Although cardiovascular collapse occurs mostly immediately after rapid injection of a local anesthetic in the presence of anesthesiologists, resuscitation may be difficult, and the outcome is usually poor. In this model of bupivacaine-induced cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation with a combination of vasopressin and epinephrine resulted in significantly better survival rates than in the placebo group.

Anesthetics, Local↗

Treatment of uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock after liver trauma: fatal effects of fluid resuscitation versus improved outcome after vasopressin.

UNLABELLED: In a porcine model of uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock, we evaluated the effects of vasopressin versus an equal volume of saline placebo versus fluid resuscitation on hemodynamic variables and short-term survival. Twenty-one anesthetized pigs were subjected to severe liver injury. When mean arterial blood pressure was <20 mm Hg and heart rate decreased, pigs randomly received either vasopressin IV (0.4 U/kg; n = 7), an equal volume of saline placebo (n = 7), or fluid resuscitation (1000 mL each of lactated Ringer's solution and hetastarch; n = 7). Thirty minutes after intervention, surviving pigs were fluid resuscitated while bleeding was surgically controlled. Mean (+/- SEM) arterial blood pressure 5 min after the intervention was significantly (P < 0.05) higher after vasopressin than with saline placebo or fluid resuscitation (58 +/- 9 versus 7 +/- 3 versus 32 +/- 6 mm Hg, respectively). Vasopressin improved abdominal organ blood flow but did not cause further blood loss (vasopressin versus saline placebo versus fluid resuscitation 10 min after intervention, 1343 +/- 60 versus 1350 +/- 22 versus 2536 +/- 93 mL, respectively; P < 0.01). Seven of 7 vasopressin pigs survived until bleeding was controlled and 60 min thereafter, whereas 7 of 7 saline placebo and 7 of 7 fluid resuscitation pigs died (P < 0.01). We conclude that vasopressin, but not saline placebo or fluid resuscitation, significantly improves short-term survival during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock. IMPLICATIONS: Although IV fluid administration is the mainstay of nonsurgical management of trauma patients with uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock, the efficacy of this strategy has been discussed controversially. In this animal model of severe liver trauma with uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock, vasopressin, but not saline placebo or fluid resuscitation, improved short-term survival.

Animals↗

Does arginine vasopressin influence the coagulation system in advanced vasodilatory shock with severe multiorgan dysfunction syndrome?

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a potent supplementary vasopressor in advanced vasodilatory shock, but decreases in platelet count have been reported during AVP therapy. In this study we evaluated the effects of AVP infusion on the coagulation system in advanced vasodilatory shock when compared to norepinephrine (NE) infusion alone. Forty-two patients with advanced vasodilatory shock (NE requirements >0.5 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1), mean arterial blood pressure <70 mm Hg) were prospectively randomized to receive an additional AVP infusion (4 U/h) or NE infusion alone. Most patients received coagulation active treatment (fresh-frozen plasma, thrombocyte concentrates, coagulation factors, and continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with heparin). At baseline and 1, 24, and 48 h after randomization, coagulation laboratory variables and a modified thrombelastography were measured. There were no differences between groups in plasmatic coagulation variables. Although there was no significant difference between groups, platelet count significantly decreased in AVP patients (P = 0.036). There were no differences in results of modified thrombelastography analyses between groups. AVP infusion in advanced vasodilatory shock with severe multiorgan dysfunction syndrome does not increase plasma concentrations of Factor VIII, von Willebrand Factor antigen, and ristocetin Co-Factor but may stimulate platelet aggregation and induce thrombocytopenia. Global coagulation, assessed by modified thrombelastography, is not different from patients receiving NE infusion alone.

Aged↗

Developing a strategy to improve ventilation in an unprotected airway with a modified mouth-to-bag resuscitator in apneic patients.

The strategies to ensure safety during ventilation of an unprotected airway are limiting airway pressure and/or inspiratory flow. In this prospective, randomized study we assessed the effect of face mask ventilation with small tidal volumes in the modified mouth-to-bag resuscitator (maximal volume, 500 mL) versus a pediatric self-inflatable bag versus automatic pressure-controlled ventilation in 40 adult apneic patients during induction of anesthesia. The mouth-to-bag resuscitator requires the rescuer to blow up a balloon inside the self-inflating bag that subsequently displaces air which then flows into the patient's airway. Respiratory variables were measured with a pulmonary monitor (CP-100). Mouth-to-bag resuscitator and pressure-controlled ventilation resulted in significantly lower (mean +/- sd) peak airway pressure (8 +/- 2 and 8 +/- 1 cm H(2)O), peak inspiratory flow rate (0.7 +/- 0.1 and 0.7 +/- 0.1 L/s), and larger inspiratory time fraction (33% +/- 5% and 47% +/- 2%) in comparison to pediatric self-inflating bag ventilation (12 +/- 3 cm H(2)O; 1 +/- 0.2 L/s; 27% +/- 4%; all P < 0.001). The tidal volumes were similar between groups. No stomach inflation occurred in either group. We conclude that using a modified mouth-to-bag resuscitator or automatic pressure-controlled ventilation with similar small tidal volumes during face mask ventilation resulted in an approximately 25% reduction in peak airway pressure when compared with a standard pediatric self-inflating bag.

Adult↗

Effects of vasopressin on adrenal gland regional perfusion during experimental cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the important role of the adrenal gland during cardiac arrest, little is known about changes in the adrenal medullary or cortical blood flow in this setting. This study was designed to assess regional adrenal gland perfusion in the medulla and cortex during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and after administration of adrenaline (epinephrine) versus vasopressin versus saline placebo. METHODS: After 4 min of untreated ventricular fibrillation, and 3 min of basic life support CPR, 19 animals were randomly assigned to receive either vasopressin (0.4 U/kg; n=7), adrenaline (45 microg/kg; n=6) or saline placebo (n=6), respectively. Haemodynamic variables, adrenal, and renal blood flow were measured after 90 s of CPR, and 90 s and 5 min after drug administration. RESULTS: All values are given as mean+/-S.E.M. Blood flow in the adrenal medulla was significantly higher 90 s after adrenaline when compared with saline placebo in the right adrenal medulla (210+/-14 vs. 102+/-5 ml/min per 100 mg), and in the left adrenal medulla (218+/-14 vs. 96+/-3 ml/min per 100 mg). Blood flow in the adrenal medulla was significantly higher 90 s and 5 min after vasopressin when compared with adrenaline in the right (326+/-22 mg vs. 210+/-14 ml/min per 100 mg, and 297+/-17 vs. 103+/-5 ml/min per 100 mg), and in the left medulla (333+/-25 vs. 218+/-14 ml/min per 100 mg, and 295+/-14 vs. 111+/-7 ml/min per 100 mg). Ninety seconds and five minutes after vasopressin, and 90 s after adrenaline, adrenal cortex blood flow was significantly higher when compared with saline placebo. After 12 min of cardiac arrest, including 8 min of CPR, seven of seven pigs in the vasopressin group, one of six pigs in the adrenaline group, but none of six placebo were successfully defibrillated. CONCLUSION: Both vasopressin and adrenaline produced significantly higher medullary and cortical adrenal gland perfusion during CPR than did a saline placebo; but vasopressin resulted in significantly higher medullary adrenal gland blood flow when compared with adrenaline.

Adrenal Glands↗

Optimizing bag-valve-mask ventilation with a new mouth-to-bag resuscitator.

When ventilating an unintubated patient with a self-inflating bag, high peak inspiratory flow rates may result in high peak airway pressure with subsequent stomach inflation; this may occur frequently when rescuers without daily experience in bag-valve-mask ventilation need to perform advanced airway management. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a newly developed self-inflating bag (mouth-to-bag resuscitator; Ambu, Glostrup, Denmark) that limits peak inspiratory flow. A bench model simulating a patient with an unintubated airway was used, consisting of a face mask, manikin head, training lung (lung compliance, 100 ml/0.098 kPa (100 ml/cm H(2)O)); airway resistance, 0.39 kPa/l per second (4 cm H(2)O/l/s), oesophagus (LESP, 1.96 kPa (20 cm H(2)O)) and simulated stomach. Twenty nurses were randomised to ventilate the manikin for 1 min (respiratory rate: 12 per minute) with either a standard self-inflating bag or the mouth-to-bag resuscitator, which requires the rescuer to blow up a single-use balloon inside the self-inflating bag, which in turns displaces air towards the patient. When supplemental oxygen is added, ventilation with up to 100% oxygen may be obtained, since expired air is only used as the driving gas. The mouth-to-bag resuscitator therefore allows two instead of one hand sealing the mask on the patient's face. The volunteers were blinded to the experimental design of the model until completion of the experimental protocol. The mouth-to-bag resuscitator versus standard self-inflating bag resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher mean+/-S.D. mask tidal volumes (1048+/-161 vs. 785+/-174 ml) and lung tidal volumes (911+/-148 vs. 678+/-157 ml), longer inspiratory times (1.7+/-0.4 vs. 1.4+/-0.4 s), but significantly lower peak inspiratory flow rates (50+/-9 vs. 62+/-13 l/min) and mask leakage (10+/-4 vs. 15+/-9%); peak inspiratory pressure (17+/-2 vs. 17+/-2 cm H(2)O) and stomach tidal volumes (16+/-30 vs. 18+/-35 ml) were comparable. In conclusion, employing the mouth-to-bag resuscitator during simulated ventilation of an unintubated patient in respiratory arrest significantly decreased inspiratory flow rate and improved lung tidal volumes, while decreasing mask leakage.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation↗

A new universal laryngoscope blade: a preliminary comparison with Macintosh laryngoscope blades.

The Dörges universal laryngoscope blade has several features designed to facilitate tracheal intubation. The number of laryngoscope blades may be reduced from four to two, or even one, which indicate less space requirement and costs. This new universal laryngoscope blade, has a lower profile (height 15 vs. 22 mm) than a Macintosh laryngoscope blade size 3 and 4, which may facilitate manoeuvring of the laryngoscope in the mouth. In random order, 40 non-anaesthesia senior house officers used a Macintosh laryngoscope blade size 3 or 4 in an adult airway management trainer, a Macintosh laryngoscope blade size 2 in a paediatric airway management trainer, and the Dörges universal laryngoscope blade for both airway management trainers to perform orotracheal intubation. The number of intubation attempts and failures was counted. Participants reported the laryngoscopic view according to Cormack and Lehane. The time from touching the laryngoscope to the first adequate lung insufflation was measured, and subjective assessment regarding handling of both blades was recorded. Number of intubation failures, the laryngoscopic view according to Cormack and Lehane, and subjective assessment was comparable between groups. Orotracheal intubation of the adult airway management trainer with the Dörges universal laryngoscope blade took significantly less time compared to the Macintosh laryngoscope blades (14 (7-57) vs. 20 (8-43) s; P<0.001); all other intubating times were comparable. In conclusion, in this model, the Dörges universal laryngoscope blade was comparable to the Macintosh laryngoscope blades size 2-4, and may save time, cost and space.

Adult↗

Decreasing peak flow rate with a new bag-valve-mask device: effects on respiratory mechanics, and gas distribution in a bench model of an unprotected airway.

Reducing inspiratory flow rate and peak airway pressure may be important in order to minimise the risk of stomach inflation when ventilating an unprotected airway with positive pressure ventilation. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a newly developed bag-valve-mask device (SMART BAG), O-Two Systems International, Ont., Canada) that limits peak inspiratory flow. A bench model simulating a patient with an unintubated airway was used consisting of a face mask, manikin head, training lung (lung compliance, 100 ml/cm H(2)O, airway resistance 4 cm H(2)O/l/s, lower oesophageal sphincter pressure 20 cm H(2)O and simulated stomach). Twenty nurses were randomised to each ventilate the manikin using a standard single person technique for 1 min (respiratory rate, 12/min) with either a standard adult self-inflating bag, or the SMART BAG. The volunteers were blinded to the experimental design of the model until completion of the experimental protocol. The SMART BAG vs. standard self-inflating bag resulted in significantly (P<0.05) lower mean+/-S.D. peak inspiratory flow rates (32+/-2 vs. 61+/-13 l/min), peak inspiratory pressure (12+/-2 vs. 17+/-2 cm H(2)O), lung tidal volumes (525+/-111 vs. 680+/-154 ml) and stomach tidal volumes (0+/-0 vs. 17+/-36 ml), longer inspiratory times (1.9+/-0.3 vs. 1.5+/-0.3 s), but significantly higher mask leakage (26+/-13 vs. 14+/-8%); mask tidal volumes (700+/-104 vs. 785+/-172 ml) were comparable. The mask leakage observed is not an uncommon factor in bag-valve-mask ventilation with leakage fractions of 25-40% having been previously reported. The differences observed between the standard BVM and the SMART BAG are due more to the anatomical design of the mask and the non-anatomical shape of the manikin face than the function of the device. Future studies should remove the mask to manikin interface and should introduce a standardized mask leakage fraction. The use of a two-person technique may have removed the problem of mask leakage. In conclusion, using the SMART BAG during simulated ventilation of an unintubated patient in respiratory arrest significantly decreased inspiratory flow rate, peak inspiratory pressure, stomach tidal volume, and resulted in a significantly longer inspiratory time when compared to a standard self-inflating bag.

Equipment Design↗

Revisiting the cardiac versus thoracic pump mechanism during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The mechanism of forward blood flow due to external chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) remains controversial, with the main theories being based on either a cardiac, or thoracic pump mechanism. Both potential mechanisms are well investigated by echocardiographic assessment. In the present case, a postoperative complication of cardiac tamponade that was detected by a thoracoabdominal CT-scan, led to cardiac arrest with subsequent successful CPR over 15 min until definitive surgical management was performed. This observation suggests that the thoracic pump mechanism may have been the predominant mechanism of forward blood flow in the present case of a pericardial tamponade.

Adult↗

Brain metabolism during cardiopulmonary resuscitation assessed with microdialysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Microdialysis is an established tool to analyse tissue biochemistry, but the value of this technique to monitor cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) effects on cerebral metabolism is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of active-compression-decompression (ACD) CPR in combination with an inspiratory threshold valve (ITV) (=experimental CPR) vs. standard CPR on cerebral metabolism measured with microdialysis. METHODS: Fourteen domestic pigs were surfaced-cooled to a body core temperature of 26 degrees C and ventricular fibrillation was induced, followed by 10 min of untreated cardiac arrest; and subsequently, standard (n=7) CPR vs. experimental (n=7) CPR. After 8 min of CPR, all animals received 0.4 U/kg vasopressin IV, and CPR was maintained for an additional 10 min in each group; defibrillation was attempted after a total of 28 min of cardiac arrest, including 18 min of CPR. RESULTS: In the standard CPR group, microdialysis measurements showed a 13-fold increase of the lactate-pyruvate ratio from 7.2+/-1.3 to 95.5+/-15.4 until the end of CPR (P<0.01), followed by a further increase up to 138+/-32 during the postresuscitation period. The experimental group developed a sixfold increase of the lactate-pyruvate ratio from 7.1+/-2.0 to 51.1+/-8.7 (P<0.05), and a continuous decrease after vasopressin. In the standard resuscitated group, but not during experimental CPR, a significant increase of cerebral glucose levels from 0.6+/-0.1 to 2.6+/-0.5 mM was measured (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Using the technique of microdialysis we were able to measure changes of brain biochemistry during and after the very special situation of hypothermic cardiopulmonary arrest. Experimental CPR improved the lactate-pyruvate ratio, and glucose metabolism.

Analysis of Variance↗