Standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), performed with chest compressions and mouth breathing, is used in an attempt to resuscitate persons suffering from cardiac and respiratory arrest in order to restore blood flow to the heart and brain and to keep the blood oxygenated. A new method, abdominal CPR, also called "only rhythmic abdominal compression" (OAC-CPR), increases the chance of survival while reducing risks that accompany standard CPR.
How It Works
OAC-CPR was developed in 2007 by Dr. Leslie Geddes, of Purdue's Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. As stated by Geddes in Purdue University News, Sept. 5, 2007, the abdominal organs contain about one-quarter of your body's total blood volume. When performing abdominal CPR, more blood can be pushed into the heart with each compression. As stated by Reuters, Sept. 21, 2007, in the article, "Change in CPR may make it more effective," 60 percent more blood reached the heart using OAC-CPR as opposed to standard CPR.
Abdominal CPR requires the same amount of force as standard CPR--100 to 125 pounds of pressure, 100 times per minute. But instead of chest compressions, the abdomen is compressed and allowed to recoil without damage to the abdominal organs. Geddes designed a wooden pressure applicator to be used with this procedure, but abdominal CPR can also be applied with the hands.
Benefits
The American Heart Association guidelines for CPR requires pushing hard and fast to obtain chest compressions of 1 1/2 to 2 inches for standard CPR. This amount of force on the chest poses the risk of rib fractures. Abdominal CPR eliminates this risk.
Unless you carry a barrier device with you, you are in danger of contracting an infectious disease through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Purdue University News cites a 1993 study indicating 45 percent of doctors and 80 percent of nurses would not use mouth-to-mouth breathing to resuscitate a stranger. OAC-CPR does not require mouth-to-mouth breathing. As you rhythmically apply abdominal compressions, the diaphragm is pushed up, causing air to be exhaled from the lungs. Between compressions, air is inhaled back into the lungs.
Standard CPR can reverse blood flow, sending oxygenated blood back into the heart instead of out from the heart to the body's organs and tissues. As stated by Geddes, it is not possible for abdominal CPR to reverse blood flow.
Additional Information
Geddes was awarded the National Medal of Technology on July 27, 2007, by President George W. Bush for developing OAC-CPR.
As stated in JEMS (Journal of Emergency Medical Services), November 2007, the American Heart Association evaluated animal studies of OAC-CPR, but did not find sufficient evidence at that time to recommend this procedure in lieu of standard CPR.
Tags: blood flow, chest compressions, abdominal also, abdominal organs, American Heart, American Heart Association