Latest device for cardiac revival under test

Researchers from University of Hopkins University observed that a chest compression belt outperforms manual resuscitation in cardiac arrest, according to animal experiments. When someone has a cardiac arrest, it's vital to get the blood supply to their heart restarted as soon as possible. Usually this is done by applying chest compressions. Ventricular defibrillators can restart the heart's natural rhythm, but these are usually not available in those vital few minutes following the arrest.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have been testing a battery-operated chest compression belt on pigs with cardiac arrest. These animals have hearts which are a similar size to the human heart, so act as a good model. The device is like an eight-inch wide seat belt and compresses more of the chest than is possible using the manual method. In this experiment, the belt was four times better at restoring the blood flow to the heart than was manual chest compression. The researchers are now hoping to move into tests in humans in the near future.