An automatic cardiac resuscitator for emergency treatment of cardiac arrest

A new, portable, automatic resuscitator seeks respiratory signals and electrocardiogram of a victim in cardiac arrest through an intrapharyngeal sensor and a lingual-epigastric skin pathway. The resuscitator then assesses the status of the patient and delivers either an electric impulse to defibrillate or a pacing pulse, as indicated by an algorithmic logic circuit gated by respiratory rate and ECG. Field testing the device on 21 patients in ventricular fibrillation resulted in 35 successful conversions to sinus rhythm and 1 long-term survivor. Pacing was accomplished in two humans. Such a device has great potential for saving lives by eliminating crucial time now spent waiting for skilled help and equipment to arrive.