New study unveiled at the 2025European Cardiology Society ConferenceIn Madrid, Spain, researchers have discovered a more efficient method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in microgravity, the condition that leads to weightlessness experienced by astronauts in space.
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The research discovered that a form of automated chest compression, performed by a conventional mechanical piston device, achieved the necessary depth to be effective, whereas the existing CPR techniques advised for space travel fall short in meeting this depth requirement.
Performing CPR during a cardiac arrest in space is difficult since both the person providing aid and the patient are floating because of microgravity. The existing NASA emergency procedure for the International Space Station suggests using the handstand technique for CPR, in which the rescuer stands on their hands over the patient’s chest, with their legs pushing against the side of the spacecraft to generate the necessary pressure for chest compressions.
We evaluated various techniques for performing chest compressions on a ‘flying laboratory’ that simulated the microgravity environment astronauts face in space. The application of a specific automatic chest compression device was the sole method that achieved the depth advised by global resuscitation guidelines to maintain blood flow to the brain during an actual cardiac arrest. We anticipate that our results will be included in the upcoming…guidelinesfor addressing cardiac arrest in space,” stated Nathan Reynette from the Cardiology Department at Université de Lorraine—CHRU de Nancy.
The study took place in a “flying laboratory” aboard a modified commercial aircraft, the only one of its kind in Europe, known as the A310 Air Zero G at the Center National d’Etudes Spatiales, France’s space agency.
During each parabola, freefalling phases of parabolic flight were utilized to precisely simulate microgravity for 22 seconds, with approximately 30 parabolas per individual flight. The experiments took place across three separate flights. Chest compression depths and rates were tracked using a high-quality CPR training manikin.
Chest compressions performed on Earth during CPR rely on the rescuer’s body weight, a factor that is absent in microgravity. Therefore, over the past three decades, scientists have looked for different techniques, including the handstand method, the reverse bear hug method, and the Evetts Russomano method. Up until now, even after many experiments, none of these approaches have been proven to achieve the necessary depth for successful chest compressions.
Automatic chest compression devices are commonly utilized on Earth by medical professionals in confined settings like emergency helicopters, or when extended CPR is required for an extended duration, such as in cases of refractory cardiac arrest that may last over 40 minutes.
This form of CPR is not regarded as better than traditional manual CPR under typical circumstances but has been shown to work well when performing chest compressions is difficult.
Three kinds of automated chest compression tools were evaluated; a conventional mechanical piston device, a compression belt system, and a compact piston device. Recommended protocols, such asadvice provided by the European Resuscitation Council, indicates that for effectiveness, chest compressions should be performed with a depth ranging from 50 to 60mm.
Among the three automated chest compression devices evaluated, the conventional mechanical piston device achieved the greatest median compression depth. The median compression depth for the standard mechanical piston device was 53.0mm, significantly higher than the other two automated devices, which both had median depths of 29mm, and the manual handstand technique of CPR, which resulted in a depth of 34.5mm.
Considering whether future space missions will carry automatic chest compression devices in their emergency medical supplies, Mr. Reynette stated, “It will be each space agency’s decision whether to add automatic chest compression devices to their emergency medical kit. We understand they have other factors to take into account besides effectiveness, like weight and available space.”
Although cardiac arrest poses a significant threat that could potentially end a space mission, it remains a low probability event at this time. Most astronauts are young, healthy, and physically fit individuals who undergo thorough medical evaluations, including screening for chronic heart conditions, prior to space travel. However, he added, extended space missions in the future and the rise of space tourism may elevate the chances of a medical emergency occurring.
The study involved a partnership among healthcare professionals from the CHU de Nancy, scientists from the University of Lorraine and the University of Paris, engineers from the Georges Charpak Laboratory at Ecole Nationale des Arts et Metiers Paris Tech, and the Center National d’Etudes Spatiales, France’s space agency, along with Novespace.
“This study once more demonstrates the value of automated chest compression devices for performing CPR in difficult settings. Space medicine frequently offers applicable insights for emergency procedures in remote locations on Earth, where both space and medical expertise are limited. Additional research might investigate if automated chest compression devices could be beneficial for conducting CPR in places like submarines and Arctic stations,” Mr. Reynette concluded.
More information:Abstract: Cardiac arrest in space: methods for conducting cardiopulmonary resuscitation during space travel?
Supplied by the European Society of Cardiology
This narrative was first released onMuara Digital Team.
