Mitigation of Reperfusion Injury During CPR to Improve Cerebral Recovery

Abstract On average, gt90% of patients who suffer from a cardiac arrest die. Nearly all die unexpectedly from this leading cause of death, in part, because the essential components of standard CPR (S-CPR): manual chest compressions at a rate of 100/min, 1to 1.5 inches in depth and positive pressure ventilations, are an inherently inefficient process, providing less than 25% of normal blood flow to the heart and brain. Despite intensive research, little or no improvement in outcomes has been observed for over half a century. This application builds upon our new understanding of ways to optimize blood flow to the heart and brain during CPR and protect these organs from reperfusion injury. It promises to provide new hope for patients who suffer from sudden cardiac death. The proposed research is focused on demonstrating proof of concept that reducing or preventing reperfusion injury by utilizing a bolus dose of anesthetic during the initiation of CPR is both feasible and critical to markedly enhancing survival