Spontaneous gasping increases the ability to resuscitate during experimental cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of spontaneous gasping on cardiorespiratory functions and the ability to resuscitate during experimental cardiac arrest. DATA SOURCES: Studies in rat and pig models during cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). STUDY SELECTION: We retrospectively examined the role of spontaneous gasping during the course of experimental studies on cardiopulmonary resuscitation. DATA EXTRACTION: The data were extracted to illustrate the mechanisms of spontaneous gasping and its effects on pulmonary gas exchange and blood circulation during CPR. DATA SYNTHESIS: Spontaneous gasping increased PaO2 and decreased PaCO2 values during precordial compression in the absence of mechanical ventilation. The frequency of gasping during precordial compression was greater in successfully resuscitated animals. A significant linear correlation was established between coronary artery perfusion pressure and both the frequency (r2 = .90, p < .01) and the duration (r2 = 0.69, p < .01) of gasping during untreated ventricular fibrillation and before resuscitation was attempted. Like coronary perfusion pressure, the frequency and duration of gasping predicted the success of cardiac resuscitation attempts.
CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous gasping is associated with both pulmonary and hemodynamic effects during cardiac arrest in experimental animals. Spontaneous gasping is biologically useful and is predictive of a more favorable outcome of resuscitative efforts.