Resuscitation,Prolonged Cardiac Arrest,and an Automated Chest Compression Device

Background: The European Resuscitation Council's 2005 guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) emphasize the delivery of uninterrupted chest compressions of adequate depth during cardiac arrest. Objectives: To describe how the circumstances of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can impede the performance of CPR, and how this situation can be overcome. Case Report: The presentation of two cases of prolonged CPR (48 min and 120 min, respectively) with an automated chest compression device, the AutoPulse^®, under difficult circumstances. Both patients survived without neurological sequelae. Conclusion: Prolonged chest compressions may be necessary in some cardiac arrests. These cases suggest that automated chest compression devices may increase the chance of a favorable outcome in these rare situations.