Augmentation of cerebral perfusion by simultaneous chest compression and lung inflation with abdominal binding after cardiac arrest in dogs

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated that for the same chest compression force during mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the carotid artery-to-jugular vein pressure gradient and carotid blood flow are increased when the phasic rise of intrathoracic pressure is enhanced by abdominal binding and simultaneous ventilation at high airway pressure with each chest compression (SVC). The objective of the present study was to assess whether cerebral blood flow is also enhanced, since it is known that fluctuations in intrathoracic pressure are transmitted to the intracranial space and affect intracranial pressure (ICP). In two series of pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, one of two CPR techniques was initiated immediately after inducing ventricular fibrillation. Brain blood flow was measured by the radiolabeled microsphere technique immediately before cardiac arrest and at 1 and 3 minutes after commencing CPR. Evidence of adequate mixing of spheres and lack of sedimentation under these low-flow conditions was verified by correlation with brain venous outflow, comparison of the arterial concentration-time profile of spheres and a nonsedimentary marker (thallium-201 in solution), and use of multiple arterial sampling sites. During SCV CPR with abdominal binding, mean carotid artery pressure (60 ± 3 mm Hg) was higher than that during conventional CPR (25 ± 2 mm Hg). Pulsations of ICP occurred that were in phase with chest compression and greater than jugular venous pressure. Mean ICP was higher during SCV (46 ± 2 mm Hg) than conventional CPR (20 ± 2 mm Hg). However, the net brain perfusion pressure gradient (carotid artery pressure - ICP) was greater with SCV (14 ± 3 mm Hg) than with conventional CPR (5 ± 0.4 mm Hg). Cerebral blood flow was significantly greater during SCV CPR (32 ± 7% of prearrest cerebral flow) than during conventional CPR (3 ± 2%). We conclude that SCV CPR combined with abdominal binding substantially improved brain perfusion by enhancing cerebral perfusion pressure in this experimental model.