Devices used in cardiac arrest

Even the best conventional manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is highly inefficient, producing only a fraction of normal cardiac output. Over the past several decades, many therapeutic devices have been designed to improve on conventional CPR during cardiac arrest and increase the probability of survival. This article reviews several adjuncts and mechanical alternatives to conventional CPR for use during cardiac arrest. Recent clinical studies comparing conventional resuscitation techniques with the use of devices during cardiac arrest are reviewed, with a focus on clinical implications and directions for future research.