Head-up cardiopulmonary resuscitation

The purpose of this review was to provide an overview of head-up (HUP) CPR physiology, relevant preclinical findings, and recent clinical literature.

Recent preclinical findings have demonstrated optimal hemodynamics and improved neurologically intact survival in animals receiving controlled head and thorax elevation with circulatory adjuncts. These findings are compared with animals in the supine position and/or receiving conventional CPR with the HUP position. There are few clinical studies of HUP CPR. However, recent studies have shown safety and feasibility of HUP CPR and improved near-infrared spectroscopy changes in patients with head and neck elevation. Additional observational studies have shown that HUP CPR performed with head and thorax elevation and circulatory adjuncts has a time-dependent association with survival to hospital discharge, survival with good neurological function, and return of spontaneous circulation.

HUP CPR is a new and novel therapy increasingly used in the prehospital setting and discussed in the resuscitation community. This review provides a relevant review of HUP CPR physiology and preclinical work, and recent clinical findings. Further clinical studies are needed to further explore the potential of HUP CPR.