A programmable resuscitator for evaluation of CPR standards.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the principal means for combating death caused by cardiac arrest in the prehospital setting. Adequate evaluation of CPR standards, however, requires exacting replication of both positive pressure ventilation and cardiac compression protocols over sufficient time periods to measure effects on arterial blood gases, hemodynamics, and intrapulmonary shunting. The programmable cardiopulmonary resuscitator studied provides for such highly controlled CPR protocols. It is developed from a cardiopulmonary resuscitator that has been adapted to accommodate a universal programmable timer. The programmable cardiopulmonary resuscitator permits independent changes in rate, duration, and sequence of both positive pressure ventilation and cardiac compression. Hence, it makes possible the simulation of one-rescuer and two-rescuer CPR standards, as well as the investigation of alternative CPR techniques.