WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CIRC?

The primary purpose of CIRC is to determine if AutoPulse-Integrated chest compressions are superior or equivalent to manual compressions alone for patients suffering cardiac arrests tied to heart conditions. We want to determine if those patients treated with AutoPulse-Integrated CPR will have higher survival rates than those who were not.

What's to gain from comparing manual and mechanical CPR?

While manual chest compressions during CPR lead to some circulation of blood, they also cause rescuer fatigue, which can result in less effective compressions. Despite CPR and the increasing presence of defibrillators that can get an erratic heart beating normally again, typically only 5 to 15 percent of cardiac arrest victims will survive, with survival rates as low as 1% in some larger cities. When chest compressions are done with an automated chest compression assist device, fatigue is not a factor, and optimal chest compressions can be achieved and maintained.

The ability of AutoPulse-Integrated chest compressions to provide better circulation of blood to vital organs in comparison to manual chest compressions alone will also be studied. The study will add to knowledge about new and potentially life-saving treatment methods, which may have a significant impact on how CPR chest compressions are performed in the future.


Why is the trial being conducted?

For 40 years, manual CPR has been the standard for providing good blood circulation to the hearts and brains of victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Widely publicized, CPR has become one of the most universally recognized acronyms and a standard of care.

Unfortunately, despite CPR technique refinement, the development of support devices such as automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), and intensive training/retraining programs, the survival rate has remained unacceptably low. Improvements are clearly needed.

Consider these facts and findings:

Each year, 325,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest, and only 2-5% are successfully resuscitated and survive to hospital discharge.

Studies have shown that manual chest compressions are often inadequate, not providing sufficient blood flow needed by the heart and brain during a sudden cardiac arrest. This can result in permanent damage to the heart, brain, and other organs in those who survive.

It is nearly impossible to give optimal compressions to a victim during transport via stairs or in a moving ambulance.

Even professional healthcare providers who are trained to do proper compressions will experience fatigue within minutes, resulting in lower quality compressions.

We believe that mechanical CPR can overcome some, if not all, of these issues, which is why we are conducting this study.