Delay during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - even seconds - between the
time of chest compressions and a potentially life-saving defibrillator shock for
cardiac arrest reduces the chances of success.
By proving that in certain, real-world situations, rescuers can safely
perform CPR during the shock, Michael Lloyd, MD, assistant professor of
cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, and his Emory
colleagues have shown these potentially harmful delays can be avoided.
Dr. Lloyd presented his findings at the American Heart Association's
Scientific Sessions 2007 conference in Orlando on Nov. 4.
"During CPR, the need for rescuers to stand clear before a shock is delivered
invariably interrupts chest compressions," says Dr. Lloyd. "This is the first
study that has measured the amount of electrical current a rescuer is exposed to
while touching the patient during shock delivery.
"We have shown that this current is minimal when wearing standard paramedic
gloves, even when there is another point of contact between the rescuer - such
as a rescuers leg touching the patients shoulder," says Dr. Lloyd.
The American Heart Association is recognizing Dr. Lloyd, an
electrophysiologist, with a Council Award for his work in the area of CPR.
