Left-Heart and Right-Heart Assistance by Retrosternal Intermittent Cardiac Compression in Dogs

Abstract

Assistance to the circulation after experimental acute low cardiac output syndrome was provided by retrosternal intermittent cardiac compression (RICC) in dogs. The prolonged assisted circulation in support of the failing heart by RICC was demonstrated in 10 dogs (Group A) for periods longer than four hours. The control group (Group B, five dogs) was given only dobutamine HCL in adequate doses, without RICC. In these two groups significant differences were observed (P < 0.01). RICC is a simple and effective means of assisting circulation, especially with heart failure on both sides.