New Life Saving Technique Triples Cardiac Arrest Survival Rates, Arizona Study Shows

A new life saving technique is gaining national recognition as an easier and more effective alternative to traditional CPR. Cardiocerebral Resuscitation or CCR is a cutting edge alternative to CPR that emphasizes chest compressions and eliminates mouth-to-mouth breathing. A team led by Dr. Ben Bobrow, Medical Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of EMS & Trauma System, showed a threefold increase in survival rates for Arizona fire departments using CCR compared to those using traditional CPR. This is the first time a state has shown such a widespread increase in the survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Dr. Bobrow and the Health Departments Save Hearts in Arizona Registry and Education (SHARE) Program recently were recognized by the American Heart Association for their work in evaluating the new method. About 5,000 cases of sudden cardiac arrest occur in Arizona annually, and immediate help is required to keep victims alive. If the bystander will do chest compressions, it will triple your chances of survival, Dr. Bobrow said. The abstract Statewide Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Survival Improves After Widespread Implementation of Cardiocerebral Resuscitation was chosen as the 2007 Resuscitation Best Abstract Award and presented by Dr. Bobrow at the American Heart Associations Scientific Sessions meeting this winter. The SHARE team is made up of a group of researchers, statisticians, and doctors from the Arizona Department of Health Services, Mayo Clinic, and the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center. Dr. Bobrows colleagues are Robert A. Berg, MD, Vatsal Chikani, MPH, Lani Clark, Gordon A. Ewy, MD, Karl B. Kern, MD, Arthur B. Sanders, MD, and Tyler F. Vadeboncoeur, MD. Along with promoting and studying the new form of CPR for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the SHARE Program encourages the use of a new bystander CPR, called Continuous Chest Compression CPR (CCC-CPR), which also eliminates mouth-to-mouth breathing. The SHARE Program believes CCC-CPR is preferable to traditional CPR because during CCC-CPR blood flow to the heart and brain is not interrupted to give mouth-to-mouth breaths--thereby increasing the chance of survival. People are also more likely to perform CCC-CPR because it doesn't involve mouth-to-mouth breathing and it is easy to remember. Those who choose to perform CCC-CPR are protected under the Good Samaritan Law if they attempt to help someone. The steps to saving the life of someone going into cardiac arrest are simple: 1. Direct someone to call 911 or make the call yourself. 2. Position the patient on the floor. Place one hand over the other, lock elbows, and position hands in the center of the chest. Perform chest compressions at the rate of 100 per minute. 3. If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, attach it to the patient and follow the machine's voice instructions. Otherwise, keep pumping until paramedics arrive. A statewide mass education effort is underway to teach this easy to learn, easy to remember life-saving technique to the public. A calendar of CCC-CPR classes offered throughout Arizona, along with information about the SHARE Program, can be found on its newly revamped website www.azshare.gov.