Maintenance of Adequate Circulation during Cardiac Standstill Using a Mechano-cardiac Compressor

¹ The Department of Surgery, University of Chicago.

A method has been devised by which adequate systemic circulation could be maintained by mechanical cardiac compression for as long as 120 minutes. For this purpose a compressible rubber cuff, the mechano-cardio pulsator, was designed. This consisted of an inflatable compartment making possible selective pressure over the left ventricle and indirectly much lower pressure over the right ventricle, thus obtaining a satisfactory high peripheral systemic and a low pulmonic pressure. Long periods of massage were maintained without ill effect to the cerebral, coronary or pulmonary circurlations. The myocardium could easily be restored to a normal rhythm at the end of the procedure. The possible clinical application of this method is discussed.