Computer simulation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation: computer analysis of a simple electrical model of the...

Extensive research is being conducted to study the mechanism of blood flow during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Recently, work has been published using a simple electrical model of the circulation to simulate the hemodynamics of CPR. This analog was a hard-wired circuit consisting of the heart and great vessels modeled as a resistive-capacitive network, pressure as voltage, blood flow as current, blood inertia as inductance and vascular valves as diodes. Such a model is useful for examining the physiology of various methods and techniques of CPR administration. In this investigation, a general purpose circuit simulation program, SPICE Version 2G.6, was used to analyze previously published CPR models. With minor modifications, the program was fully able to simulate the hard-wired circuits. The program is very flexible, allowing for easy model modification and a wide range of parameter values. In addition, the program offers the advantages of increased accuracy and low cost. Suggested future applications are for rapid evaluation of new CPR concepts.