Improved cerebral perfusion pressures and 24-hr neurological survival in a porcine model of cardiac arrest with active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation and augmentation of negative intrathoracic pressure.

Objective Generation of negative intrathoracic pressure during the decompression phase of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) enhances the refilling of the heart. We tested the hypothesis that when compared with closed chest manual chest compressions (CC) at 80 CC per minute (CPR at 80CC/min), treatment with active compression decompression (ACD) CPR at 80 CC/min combined with augmentation of negative intrathoracic pressure would lower intracranial pressure (ICP) and increase cerebral perfusion thereby improving neurologically intact survival rates following prolonged untreated cardiac arrest.