The case series included 28 cardiac arrest patients in PEA occurring at three different university hospitals in Europe. The patients required diagnostic and therapeutic interventions during prolonged resuscitation of 10 to 180 minutes. The majority of the patients (21) were consecutive from the Internal Medical Ward at the University Clinic Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. 27/28 regained their pulse, 14/28 of the patients survived to be discharged home, 13 of whom were in good neurological condition.
Prof. Bonnemeier comments: “Mechanical chest compressions help sustain circulation during prolonged resuscitation efforts, transportation and during interventional procedures; situations where manual chest compressions are difficult to maintain effectively. The LUCAS device is a practical and extremely efficient tool that most likely has contributed to better therapy and resulted in good outcomes.”
The American Heart Association and European Resuscitation Council’s new 2010 guidelines for resuscitation emphasize continuous and effective chest compressions during the whole resuscitation event.
The article can be found on the website of the Resuscitation Journal: Bonnemeier H. et al, “Continuous mechanical chest compression during in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation of patients with pulseless electrical activity”. Resuscitation 2011; 82 (2): 155-159.
The full article may be downloaded free of charge as part of the “Article of the month” award: http://download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/0300-9572/PIIS0300957210010269.pdf
About LUCAS CPR
The LUCAS Chest Compression System is an easy-to-use and lightweight device that provides quality chest compressions in accordance with the European Resuscitation Council and American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). It assists rescuers in maintaining vital blood circulation in cardiac arrest patients. LUCAS is simple to use, applied within seconds and feasible for use in a majority of cardiac arrest patients in most settings and situations. LUCAS is available in electrically powered (LUCAS 2) and pneumatically powered (LUCAS 1) versions. So far, an estimated 40,000 patients have been treated with a LUCAS. The mechanical CPR device has shown to maintain blood circulation better than manual CPR, increase operational efficacy and to improve the opportunities to save cardiac arrest patients.
About Jolife AB
Founded in 2000, Jolife AB develops and manufactures the LUCAS Chest Compression System. Jolife works closely with leading physicians, nurses, paramedics and first responders and is committed to research and development in order to continue to offer innovative products. LUCAS Chest Compression Systems are sold in over 34 countries around the world. Based in Lund in southern Sweden, Jolife markets its products through an exclusive global distribution agreement with Physio-Control, Inc., a division of Medtronic Inc. – except in Sweden, Norway and Finland, where Jolife sells directly.
Further information: Erik von Schenck, CEO, JOLIFE Tel: +46 46 286 5002 E-mail: evs@jolife.com
Or Sara Lindroth, Marketing Director, JOLIFE Tel: +46 46 286 5024 E-mail: sara.lindroth@jolife.com
Jolife AB Scheelevägen 17 223 70 Lund Sweden Tel: +46 46 286 5000 www.jolife.com www.lucas-cpr.com
