Physio-Control LUCAS - Manuel (Page 20)

20 100359-50 B, ©J
OLIFE
AB 2006
LUCAS TM
I
NSTRUCTIONS FOR
U
SE
G
EBRUIKSAANWIJZING
I
NSTRUCTIONS D
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UTILISATION
1.11 B
ACKGROUND
The single most common cause of death in western
society is cardiovascular disease either on its own
or as a contributory factor.
There is only a short space of time after the heart
stops during which it is possible to reverse the
situation and restore spontaneous circulation.
If the heart is not started quickly, the two most
important organs, the heart and brain, will be
damaged by the lack of oxygen.
Effective chest compressions can restore
circulation to a level, which may be sufficient to
prevent heart and brain damage during a short
period of time.
For optimal results the compressions should be
performed in such a way that the rib cage is held
down for approximately half of the time, and
subsequently released for the remaining half of
the time
1 .
It is very difficult to perform manual chest
compressions effectively, even for experienced CPR
practitioners, and especially in a vehicle, moving
ambulance, during transport or when there is no
firm surface under the patient
2 3 .
1
European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2005. Resuscitation 2005;67:14.
2
Hightower D, Thomas SH, Stone CK et al. Decay in Quality of Closed-
Chest Compressions Over Time.
Ann Emerg Med 1995;26:300-303.
3
Sunde K, Wik L, Steen P A: Quality of Mechanical, manual Standard and
active compression-decompression CPR on the arrest site and during
transport in a manikin model. Resuscitation 1997;34:235-242.