Transoesophageal cardiac pacing is effective for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a rat of asphyxial model

SummaryObjectiveTo investigate effectiveness of transoesophageal cardiac pacing in a rat model of asphyxial cardiac arrest.MethodsTen minutes after the tracheal tube had been clamped, cardiac arrest (CA) occurred in 20 Sprague–Dawley rats, and the rats were assigned randomly to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a control group or CPR combined with transoesophageal cardiac pacing in a pacing group. Restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was defined as an unassisted pulse with a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of ≥20 mmHg for ≥1 min.ResultsROSC was significantly more frequent in the pacing group compared with the control group (7/10 versus 1/10, P < 0.05). Faster ROSC and longer survival trend in the pacing group were seen compared with the control group.ConclusionTransoesophageal cardiac pacing is effective for CPR in a rat of asphyxial model. However, the precise mechanism is not clear and further experiments will be necessary.