A study shows that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed using the combination of two new CPR devices, the ResQPump and ResQPOD, gave patients who suffered cardiac arrest a 53 percent better chance of survival, as compared with standard CPR.
Researchers at Wishard, IU Health Methodist, Community and St. Vincent’s hospitals, and the Indianapolis, Speedway, and Carmel fire departments, along with six other study sites in the United States conducted the study.
“This was a landmark study which will change the way CPR is performed throughout the world and will greatly improve the survival rate from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Indianapolis,” said Dr. Michael Olinger, medical director for Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services and Indianapolis Fire Department and the principal investigator of the local study.
From February 2005 to July 2009 at seven study sites nationwide, a total of 3,032 cardiac arrest patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were treated with either standard CPR or CPR with the ResQPump/ResQPOD device combination. These devices, which are made by Advanced Circulatory Systems Inc. in Roseville, Minn., are designed to improve chest compressions and increase circulation during CPR. Patients who met the final study criteria were included in the primary analysis population.
The results showed that patients treated with the devices had an 8.9 percent survival-to-hospital- discharge rate with good neurologic function, compared to a 5.8 percent survival rate in patients who were treated with standard CPR, a 53 percent relative improvement in the device group.
Locally, a total of 167 patients were enrolled in the study: 91 male and 76 female, with an average age of 61.5 years. The study was funded, in part, by a grant from the National Institutes of Health and was sponsored by Advanced Circulatory Systems. Based on these positive study results, the company is seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the ResQPump/ResQPOD device combination for CPR in patients suffering a cardiac arrest.
Heart disease is currently the leading cause of death in North America. Unfortunately, many individuals with heart disease suffer what is known as “cardiac arrest” – an emergency situation where the heart suddenly stops, placing the person at risk for permanent brain damage or death. Only about 1 in 20 cardiac arrest victims survive, and of those who do, many have permanent brain damage. Faced with these dismal statistics, medical researchers are constantly searching for better treatments for cardiac arrest.
Wishard Health Services was the lead research institution for the local study.
For further questions about the study, contact Gretchen Huffman, study coordinator, at (317) 287-3029.
