The Case for Interposed Abdominal Compression CPR in Hospital Settings

The Case for Interposed Abdominal Compression CPR in Hospital Settings

Interposed abdominal compression (IAC)-CPR includes all steps of standard external CPR with the addition of manual midabdominal compressions in counterpoint to the rhythm of chest compressions. IAC-CPR can increase blood flow during CPR about two fold compared to standard CPR without IAC, as shown by multiple studies in computer and animal models. The technique increases the rate return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) for inhospital resuscitations from roughly 25% to 50%. Improved survival to discharge is demonstrated in two in-hospital trials.