Survival and normal neurological outcome after CPR with periodic Gz acceleration and vasopressin

Abstract

Background: We showed previously that whole body periodic acceleration along the spinal axis (pGz) is a novel method of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The ultimate assessment of the value of any CPR technique is the neurological outcome after using such a technique. In this study, we determined the neurological outcome in pigs after prolonged pGz–CPR, with administration of vasopressin immediately prior to defibrillation. Neurological outcome after pGz–CPR was compared to a control group where no intervention occurred for the same time period (C-NoInterv). Methods and Results: Ventricular Fibrillation (VFIB) was induced in 12 animals. After a 3 min non-interventional interval, the animals received either pGz–CPR ( n=7), or C-NoInterv ( n=5) for 15 min. After 18 min of VFIB, a single dose of vasopressin (0.8 U/kg) was administered along with sodium bicarbonate and bretylium, and defibrillation was attempted. All animals in the pGz–CPR group had return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and normal neurological assessment at 24 h. Neurologic outcome remained normal at 48 h. In contrast, none of the animals in the C-NoInterv had ROSC. Conclusion: Prolonged pGz–CPR, with administration of vasopressin immediately prior to defibrillation results in normal neurological outcomes at 24 h.