RCR in space could be facilitated by chest compression machines

Microgravity makes it difficult to do simple tasks like eating, using the toilets and a shower, so it is not surprising that performing the RCR on someone whose heart stops beating in space is an extremely demanding procedure. But a mechanical device could do the work more effectively, the tests carried out in the simulated microgravity suggest.

On earth, its weight and strength are used to compress the patient’s chest. But in space, things are different, because the weight becomes practically devoid of meaning.

The NASA RCR protocol for the international space station requires that you pebble yourself and the patient between two hard surfaces, make a tip on their chest and push your legs to allow you to compress.

In search in a better way, Nathan Reynette at the University of Lorraine in France and his colleagues tested various RCR methods on an Airbus A310 plane flying parabolic curves, a maneuver which creates 22 seconds of microgravity. They also tested three different thoracic compression machines which are commonly used in surrounding environments on earth, as in the back of air ambulance helicopters.

All the methods were applied to a training model and the depths of the chest compression obtained were carefully monitored. The European Resuscitation Council claims that a depth of at least 50 millimeters is necessary to be effective: in tests, the best mechanical device has reached 53 millimeters, but the point method has only reached 34.5 millimeters.

Research will be presented at the Congress of the European Cardiology Society in Madrid on August 31. Reynette and her colleagues declared in a press release that they hoped that their conclusions will influence the future directives on the RCR in space.

Aaron Parkhurst at University College London said that the current RCR method in space is difficult to perform and mature for improvement. “If you were doing this in zero gravity or in a space station for any reason, things probably turned very badly and the prognosis is probably not great,” he said. “This new method seems to be tackling this.”

While traveling in space becomes more common and astronauts are not all very selected people who adapt extremely, the probability of cardiac incidents in orbit will be built, explains Parkhurst. “Leaving the earth’s atmosphere, the simple stress of these rocket moments, is extremely difficult for the heart. And living long -term in space is extremely difficult for cardiovascular systems. So it has happened, ”he says.

A spokesperson for NASA said in a statement: “Manual compressions remain the current RCR procedure on the international space station. The agency is preparing for future human exploration missions to the moon, in Mars and beyond. »»