Open cardiac resuscitation. A surgeon's viewpoint.

Open cardiac massage yields better hemodynamic results in the laboratory than does closed cardiac massage. However, reported survival rates with the two methods are similar, except in postcardiotomy patients and patients with penetrating injury. Implementation of resuscitation within several minutes of cardiac arrest is far more important than the specific method used. Closed cardiac massage can be instituted more universally and more quickly than open massage and thus should remain the mainstay of cardiac resuscitation. Open cardiac massage can be performed by trained surgical personnel in appropriate situations.