Echo-Doppler observations during cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation

We describe a series of investigations that used transesophageal echo-Doppl er observations during cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Re gular contractions of the left atrium persisted during the initial 7 mins o f untreated ventricular fibrillation, Ventricular chamber deformation and m itral valve closing and opening followed precordial compression and relaxat ion, Stroke volumes computed from differences between diastolic and systoli c areas of the left ventricle were predictive of the success of the resusci tation, Progressive decreases in left ventricular compliance were associate d with decreases In left ventricular diastolic and stroke volumes and progr essed to a stone heart.