New CPR

[cmollison]

Hey,

Just wondering if anyone has seen the new Zoll Automated CPR in action yet. I saw it a trade show but I've heard that some Regional EMS services are starting equip them and use them live in the field. Any feedback so far?

Craig

[Paraone]

I have not seen them before or heard of them being used in BC. How are they compared to the lifepack 1000?
I can not see BCAS ever switching from the lifepack 1000any time soon.

[PFD023]

At least one of the EMS trucks up here has them. The guys I work with have seen it in action.....all were impressed.

[dentedhead]

At least one of the EMS trucks up here has them. The guys I work with have seen it in action.....all were impressed.

A friend in the states used them,"fireman in a box" he never said one way or the other how he felt about.

Dentedhead

[WolfmanHarris]

We have the Lucas II rolling out in the near future; initially on PRU's and then likely on all trucks. While there has been some resistance from Paramedics on ground of more equipment to carry, clunky to apply, another mechanical failure point, unclear when to apply it during the SCA sequence, etc. I am very much in favour of it. The benefits of an automated CPR device of any sort as I see it is

- Decreased hands off time. These devices will either pump continuously (secured airway) or pause for exactly long enough for two ventilations. Some studies and case reviews have found hands-off time for ventilations approaching thirty seconds due to various on scene distractions.
- Proper compression depth and rate 100% of the time. Data review from the last year at my service found an average compression rate on VSA of 122bpm. This is slightly above ILCOR 100bpm standard. Not to mention depth problems as providers get fatigued. These devices pump at exactly 100bpm at the exact depth, every time. With all the research supporting effective CPR as being the most effective treatment in a SCA, these devices will increase save rates.
- Interuptions. These devices will continue to pump away as you carry a Pt. down stairs on a scoop, load them, unload them, etc. These are traditionally areas where CPR must either stop or become really poor quality due to the mechanics.
- Crew safety. Transporting VSA's are becoming less frequent with PCP TOR and ACP pronouncments, however, some Pt.'s still need to be transported either post arrest (with a high likelihood of rearresting) or with CPR still in progress. With this device we can eliminate unrestrained providers in the back during transport and help make sure everyone goes home safe. On the fire side, this will decrease the instances of EMS taking FF's with us to the hospital and allow you to clear quicker.

Beyond that, I'll let you know how they work in practice when they hit the trucks this Fall. (Or so we were told.)

Cheers,
- Matt

[northernmedic]

We had the Zoll Auto Pulse on car during the ASPIRE trial in 2003-2004 but the trial was discontinued after the automated CPR showed an increased mortality rate in the multicenter trial. I have heard rumours about going to the LUCAS in the coming year or so but nothing concrete.