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Instructions on using the Auto Pulse machine.

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Instructions on using the Auto Pulse machine.

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This video reviews the basic function of the AutoPulse. Please keep comments constructive and respective.

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The Auto pulse machines provide consistent and effective compressions.

The healthcare providers hands are free to start other life saving methods such as IV starts, pushing medications and providing rescue breathes.

It can be used by healthcare teams outside the hospitals as well as code teams in the hospital setting.

More effective than sternal compressions resulting in coronary perfusion pressure levels 33% higher than those of sternal compressions, positively impacting return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival.

https://www.zoll.com/medical-products/resuscitation-system/autopulse/clinical-studies

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Can not be used in patients greater than 300lbs.

Can't be used on children.

Can't be used on traumatic codes.

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When a person's heart stops, there are only seconds to act. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, otherwise known as CPR, must be quickly performed to continue artificial circulation and provide a supply of oxygen to an unresponsive person. Portable and automatic CPR machines automatically deliver CPR compression strokes - and these CPR machines are already saving lives.

AutoPulse, a life-saving portable automatic CPR machine. [Image Source: BlueJFilms via YouTube]

Automatic CPR Machines

If performed effectively, CPR can keep a person alive until medical help can be administered. In some areas medical help may take more than 10 minutes to arrive. Every minute counts and can mean the difference in life or death.

CPR is most effective when it is continuously given without interruption. Unfortunately, in some situations, it can be difficult or nearly impossible for first responders continue CPR as a person is being evacuated from a building or other areas with difficult terrain.

In place of mechanical CPR, mechanical CPR devices can automatically deliver CPR strokes to continue blood circulation and oxygen supply of unresponsive victims. A large scale trial revealed one such automatic CPR device, called the AutoPulse, increased the survival rate of patients in need of CPR by 3.6%.

"In large published prospective clinical trials that used an automated CPR device, the AutoPulse Resuscitation System ® achieved the highest survival rate. In IARC study (Circulation Improving Resuscitation Care), the overall survival until hospital discharge was 10.2%, which is one of the highest ever achieved in a test of cardiac arrest outside the hospital. . The PARAMEDIC test, which used a mechanical CPR device plunger had a survival rate at 30 days only 6.6% .

The device straps on to a victim and provides compression strokes by rapidly inflating an deflating a bag. The device is battery operated and can perform CPR for over 10 minutes. The device could save thousands of lives every year.

Life Saving Trials

The AutoPulse is specifically designed to assist paramedics and other first responders to continue CPR in areas where manual CPR is nearly impossible. According to Zoll, the creators of AutoPulse, their device can provide better CPR compression strokes than first responders can perform in difficult scenarios.

"This translates into a 33% higher coronary perfusion pressure than sternal compression, which has a positive effect on recovery of spontaneous circulation (RSC) and survival. In addition, while sternal piston CPR devices showed no effect on the improvement of RSC rate relative to manual CPR ³ , the AutoPulse system increased the RSC rate in numerous studies 4 -9 ," Zoll explains.

Multiple studies indicate the AutoPulse device can help first responders save lives more often.[Image Source: ]

With minimal training, in the trial first responders were able to set up the AutoPulse in just 14 seconds. Zoll reports their device also has a lower rate of disruption in 85% of the cases in comparison to manual CPR.

The device also comes with a blanket that allows first responders to easily lower patients' legs in order to maneuver them around tight corners.

"With AutoPulse, rescuers do not need to worry about potentially risky pauses or CPR measurements in the event of tilting and turning, whether on steep stairs, tight turns, or even Small elevator. Patients receive uninterrupted, high-quality compressions throughout their transportation to the hospital," Zoll continues to explain.

For patients requiring more support, the device can be connected to a flexible stretcher or solid backboard, giving first responders an option depending on the case.

Saving Lives

The AutoPulse has been reported numerous times in life-saving events. Although the device appears to yield good results, some first responders do not want to adapt the AutoPulse over the fear of a mechanical failure and the sheer expense of one unit - an approximate US $10,000 per unit.

For now, most first responders will continue to provide CPR manually. Traditional CPR is a tried and true technique, proven to be a reliable way to resuscitate an unresponsive human.

The AutoPulse and other automated CPR machines will still need significantly more convincing evidence before the medical community will largely accept the device.

Mechanical CPR devices are an innovative solution to a challenging problem, however, they will still require further refinement before they will be able to replace traditional CPR methods.

Written by Maverick Baker

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Portable Automatic CPR Machines: A Life-Saving Technology

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When a person's heart stops, there are only seconds to act. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, otherwise known as CPR, must be quickly performed to continue artificial circulation and provide a supply of oxygen to an unresponsive person. Portable and automatic CPR machines automatically deliver CPR compression strokes - and these CPR machines are already saving lives.

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The auto pulse machine would be great asset to all healthcare providers, first responders and code teams. This could also be used outside of the common healthcare areas. The AED has made a big impact saving the life of people in emergent situation and this could be used in conjunction with the AED. We could see this in sports arenas, schools and etc.

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There is a shortage of nurses across the profession. I have worked in facilities where we didn't have enough staff to run a code effectively. When there is a code on my unit all the nurses on the unit run to the code. This leaves the rest of the patients without a nurse for that period of time. When a code is called we have a team of people that come but more often than not the nurses on the unit have already initiated BLS and ACLS. Having the Auto pulse available would eliminate one staff member needed for the code. This would combat against fatigue while providing compressions. It provides consistent and effective compressions. This is nursing and technology combined. This is the definition of nursing informatics. We could be using this advanced technology to improve patient outcomes.