Advertisement
Research Article| Volume 14, ISSUE 11, P1283-1289, November 1961

A simplified approach to cardiac arrest

  • Robert I. Litwin
    Footnotes
    Affiliations
    Department of Stomatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass., USA

    Massachusetts Memorial Hospitals Boston, Mass., USA
    Search for articles by this author
  • Ernest A. Sneddon
    Footnotes
    Affiliations
    Department of Stomatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass., USA

    Massachusetts Memorial Hospitals Boston, Mass., USA
    Search for articles by this author
  • Author Footnotes
    ∗ Assistant Professor of Oral Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine.
    ∗∗ Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Boston University School of Medicine; Chief of Anesthesia Service, Massachusetts Memorial Hospitals.
      This paper is only available as a PDF. To read, Please Download here.

      Abstract

      A simplified, accepted method of treating cardiac arrest has been described. It is a technique of external cardiac massage which can easily be mastered by the dentist. Using this technique, Johns Hopkins Hospital reported a 70 per cent over-all survival rate in eighty-four arrests. This compares most favorably with a 29 per cent survival rate for the open chest technique.
      External cardiac massage, properly applied simultaneously with artificial respiration, can keep the brain and heart sufficiently oxygenated until more definite evaluation and treatment are available, usually in the hospital. A dentist confronted with this dramatic emergency should be able to render effective resuscitation.
      To read this article in full you will need to make a payment

      Purchase one-time access:

      Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online access
      One-time access price info
      • For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
      • For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'

      References

        • Kouwenhoven W.B.
        • Jude J.R.
        • Knickerbocker G.G.
        Closed Chest Cardiac Massage.
        J. A. M. A. 1960; 173: 1064
        • Zoll P.M.
        • Linenthal A.J.
        • Norman L.R.
        • Paul M.H.
        • Gibson W.
        Treatment of Unexpected Cardiac Arrest by External Electric Stimulation of Heart.
        New England J. Med. 1956; 254: 541
        • Adelson L.
        • Hoffman W.
        Sudden Death From Coronary Disease.
        J. A. M. A. 1961; 176: 129-135
        • Stephenson H.E.
        Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation.
        The C. V. Mosby Company, St. Louis1958
        • Fineberg C.
        • Cohn H.E.
        • Gibbon J.H.
        Cardiac Arrest During Nasotracheal Aspirations.
        J. A. M. A. 1960; 174: 410-412