Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Pediatric Animal Model of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation After Prolonged Circulatory Arrest
Published on: May 26, 2023
Rescue percutaneous coronary intervention during cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Katja Juvan Azman1, Vojka Gorjup, Marko Noc
1Center for Intensive Internal Medicine, University Medical Center, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Insights
Sudden cardiac arrest during cardiac catheterization can be immediately diagnosed by coronary angiography. Successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can restore spontaneous circulation and ensure long-term survival.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) during cardiac catheterization presents a critical challenge.
- Prompt diagnosis of the underlying coronary condition is vital for immediate intervention.
Observation:
- Two patients experienced SCA during cardiac catheterization due to critical proximal left coronary artery disease.
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Findings:
- Successful PCI during CPR led to the restoration of spontaneous circulation in both patients.
- Both patients achieved long-term survival following the intervention.
Implications:
- This case series highlights the feasibility and effectiveness of PCI during CPR for SCA in the cardiac catheterization setting.
- It underscores the potential for immediate coronary angiography and subsequent PCI to be life-saving interventions.
- This approach may improve outcomes for patients experiencing SCA during invasive cardiac procedures.
Abstract:
If sudden cardiac arrest occurs during cardiac catheterization, the underlying coronary condition may be defined immediately by coronary angiography. This may, in turn, allow a lifesaving attempt of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We report on two patients with critical proximal disease of the left coronary artery in whom successful PCI during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) led to the restoration of a spontaneous circulation and long-term survival.
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