| Abstract: | In anaesthetized dogs blood pressure (BP), carotid artery flow (CAF), oxygen tension of arterial blood (paO2) and brain surface (bs-pO2), ECG, frequency analyzed EEG were measured and/or recorded. The changes in these parameters were detected before and during ventricular fibrillation with external and direct heart massage as well as after defibrillation. Comparisons were made between the effect of oxygen and room air ventilation. The ratio of successful resuscitation was 88% with direct heart massage and O2 respiration, 76% with external thoracic massage and O2 ventilation, and 68% with external massage combined with room air respiration. The highest BP and CAF could be achieved with direct heart massage. The results suggest that the minimal requirement for success is to achieve a BP of 5 kPa (40 mmHg) and 13 ml/min CAF. In dogs with large and stiff thorax this minimal pressure and flow could not be attained. During effective massage with room air ventilation brain surface pO2 increases moderately, but with O2-respiration it returns to normal. Small or no changes in bs-pO2 indicates unfavourable prognosis. The start bs-pO2 elevation coincides with the reappearance of the first EEG waves, while pO2 increase on the brain surface precedes the normalization of EEG. |
