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Updated: Oct 31, 2025

Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: June 12, 2021
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation With Mechanical Chest Compression Device During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. A
Dóra Ujvárosy1,2, Veronika Sebestyén1,2, Tamás Ötvös1,2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
Insights
Mechanical chest compressions facilitated continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during transport and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for a patient experiencing myocardial infarction. This approach led to successful resuscitation and favorable patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major global health concern, with myocardial infarction (MI) as the most common cause.
- High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and timely percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are critical for post-resuscitation care.
Observation:
- A case of a female patient with aborted cardiac arrest due to MI is presented.
- Prehospital care involved a mechanical chest compression device during advanced CPR, enabling continuous resuscitation during a 20 km transfer to a PCI laboratory.
- Mechanical chest compressions were maintained throughout the primary coronary intervention.
Findings:
- The resuscitation effort, lasting 2 hours and 35 minutes, was successful, achieving return of spontaneous circulation.
- The coronary intervention was also successful.
- The patient was discharged home after rehabilitation with a positive neurological outcome.
Implications:
- Mechanical chest compression devices can be safely and effectively used during prolonged prehospital transport and primary PCI.
- This case highlights the potential of mechanical CPR to improve outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest.
- Continuous, high-quality chest compressions during complex interventions may enhance resuscitation success rates.
Abstract:
Sudden cardiac death is a leading cause of death worldwide, whereby myocardial infarction is considered the most frequent underlying condition. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an important component of post-resuscitation care, while uninterrupted high-quality chest compressions are key determinants in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In our paper, we evaluate a case of a female patient who suffered aborted cardiac arrest due to myocardial infarction. The ambulance crew providing prehospital care for sudden cardiac arrest used a mechanical chest compression device during advanced CPR, which enabled them to deliver ongoing resuscitation during transfer to the PCI laboratory located 20 km away from the scene. Mechanical chest compressions were continued during the primary coronary intervention. The resuscitation, carried out for 2 h and 35 min, and the coronary intervention were successful, as evidenced by the return of spontaneous circulation and by the fact that, after a short rehabilitation, the patient was discharged home with a favorable neurological outcome. Our case can serve as an example for the effective and safe use of a mechanical compression device during primary coronary intervention.

