Method of treating cardiac arrest
A method of treating cardiac arrest patients using epinephrine and a device that uses a belt to perform anterior-posterior closed chest compressions. In animal experiments the combination of epinephrine and a belt-driven anterior-posterior chest compression device produced high levels of coronary perfusion pressure, myocardial blood flow and cerebral blood flow relative to both pre-arrest levels and relative to conventional CPR techniques.
1 . A method of performing basic life support on a patient in cardiac arrest, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a device for performing chest compressions on the patient, said device having a belt, wherein the chest compression device is capable of compressing the chest of the patient with the belt, is adapted to perform anterior-posterior chest compressions on the patient and has a weight low enough to allow a human rescuer to carry the chest compression device;
providing a dose of epinephrine, said dose suitable for treating a patient in cardiac arrest;
providing a means for administering the dose of epinephrine to the patient;
performing anterior-posterior chest compressions on the patient with the device; and
administering the dose of epinephrine to the patient.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the method is performed by a first responder.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the first responder is selected from the group consisting of fire fighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
4 . The method of claim 1 comprising the further steps of:
providing a means for delivering a defibrillating shock to the patient; and
delivering a defibrillating shock to the patient.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein the method is performed by a first responder.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the first responder is selected from the group consisting of fire fighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
7 . A method of treating a patient, wherein the patient is located in the field, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a device for performing chest compressions on the patient, said device having a belt, wherein the chest compression device is capable of compressing the chest of the patient with the belt, is adapted to perform anterior-posterior chest compressions on the patient and has a weight low enough to allow a human rescuer to carry the chest compression device;
providing a dose of epinephrine, said dose suitable for treating a patient in cardiac arrest;
providing a means for administering the dose of epinephrine to the patient;
performing anterior-posterior chest compressions on the patient with the device; and
administering the dose of epinephrine to the patient.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein the method is performed by a first responder.
9 . The method of claim 8 wherein the first responder is selected from the group consisting of fire fighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
10 . The method of claim 7 comprising the further steps of:
providing a means for delivering a defibrillating shock to the patient; and
delivering a defibrillating shock to the patient.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the method is performed by a first responder.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the first responder is selected from the group consisting of fire fighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
13 . A method of treating a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a device for performing chest compressions on the patient, said device having a belt, wherein the chest compression device is capable of compressing the chest of the patient with the belt, is adapted to perform anterior-posterior chest compressions on the patient and has a weight low enough to allow a human rescuer to carry the chest compression device;
providing a dose of epinephrine, said dose suitable for treating a patient in cardiac arrest;
providing a means for administering the dose of epinephrine to the patient;
performing anterior-posterior chest compressions on the patient with the device; and
administering the dose of epinephrine to the patient.
14 . The method of claim 13 comprising the further steps of:
providing a means for delivering a defibrillating shock to the patient; and
delivering a defibrillating shock to the patient.