• S Rubertsson, N G Bircher, and H Alexander.
• Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
• Crit. Care Med. 1997 Jun 1;25(6):1003-9.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of balloon occlusion of the proximal descending aorta during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on hemodynamics, restoration of spontaneous circulation, and 24-hr survival.DesignProspective, randomized, controlled trial.SettingExperimental laboratory in a university hospital.SubjectsEighteen anesthetized dogs. INTERVENTIONS; Catheters were placed for hemodynamic and blood gas monitoring. An aortic balloon catheter was placed with its tip just distal to the left subclavian artery. After 10 mins of ventricular fibrillation without CPR, 3 mins of Basic Life Support (chest compressions and ventilation with 100% oxygen) was followed by up to 30 mins of Advanced Cardiac Life Support with canine drug dosages. In the treatment group (n = 8), the intra-aortic balloon was inflated when Advanced Cardiac Life Support started and not deflated until shortly after restoration of spontaneous circulation. The control animals (n = 10) were treated with an identical resuscitation but without intra-aortic balloon occlusion.Measurements And Main ResultsIn the treatment group, coronary perfusion pressure was greater during Advanced Cardiac Life Support (p = .026). Restoration of spontaneous circulation was more frequent (7/8 dogs) as compared with the control group (3/10 dogs) (p = .025). There was a trend toward greater 24-hr survival in the treatment group (5/8 dogs) than in the control group (3/10 dogs).ConclusionsBalloon occlusion of the proximal descending aorta during experimental CPR improves restoration of spontaneous circulation. Further laboratory and human studies are needed to determine the clinical efficacy of this technique.

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