| abstract |
A method and apparatus are described for resuscitating a person who has suffered cardiac arrest. The method includes threading a balloon through the aorta until it lies along the ascending aorta, and then inflating the balloon (40, FIG. 1) to block the ascending aorta to thereby increase blood flow into the coronary arteries (30, 32). A tube (42) extends through the balloon, and blood-compatible fluid which is preferable oxygen rich, is injected past the balloon to provide additional oxygen-carrying fluid to flow through the coronary arteries when the balloon is inflated. The balloon is repeatedly deflated and inflated, so after a period of perhaps 30 seconds during which blood flows only to the coronary arteries, the balloon is deflated to allow some blood flow to the brain. During the entire procedure, pressure is repeatedly applied to the chest and therefore to the heart to sustain blood circulation. |