Australian woman is back from the dead, after 42 minutes

PTI | Aug 20, 2013, 07.17 AM IST

MELBOURNE: In a near-miraculous incident, doctors in Australia have saved the life of a 41-year-old woman who was clinically dead for 42 minutes after suffering a major heart attack. Vanessa Tanasiowas rushed to hospital last week after the heart attack, but was declared clinically dead soon after arrival.

Doctors at Melbourne's Monash-Heart hospital managed to unblock vital arteries and return her heart to a normal rhythm, using a high-tech machine that kept blood flowing to Tanasio's brain, AAP news agency reported. Hospital authorities described her survival as "astonishing".

Tanasio, a mother of two from Narre Warren, Melbourne, needed numerous defibrillator shocks, including one in the ambulance on her way to hospital, doctors said.

"I'm feeling excellent. For someone who has been dead for nearly an hour of this week I am feeling tremendously well," Tanasio said.

Emergency medics used a device called LUCAS 2 to keep her blood flowing while doctors worked to unblock the arteries to her heart.

Tanasio, a sales representative, said she had no history of heart problems, the report said. "This has taken me completely by surprise. I am relieved to still be here for my children ," she said.

LUCAS CHEST COMPRESSION SYSTEM

The LUCAS Chest Compression System is designed to deliver uninterrupted compressions at a consistent rate and depth to facilitate ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation). It delivers automated compressions from first response in the field to ambulance transport and throughout the hospital. LUCAS facilitates consistent blood flow from the moment it is turned on, helping to improve a patient’s chance for a successful outcome. With LUCAS, defibrillation can occur during ongoing compressions that can prime the heart for a successful shock. Also continuous compressions help maintain coronary perfusion pressure needed to facilitate ROSC.

·        Effective, consistent and uninterrupted compressions according to current AHA guidelines
·        Maintain good blood flow
·        Increasing operational effectiveness
·        Easy to use and efficient to own
·        Keep personnel safe during CPR

You now have the choice between an air driven and battery powered LUCAS device. The original LUCAS 1, is a pnuematically-driven device and requires no electrical supply for operation. It is powered by compressed air from a portable compressed air cylinder or wall outlet. LUCAS 2 runs off of Lithium-ion Polymer battery technology, which has a long shelf life and requires no test-cycle maintenance. Both devices are equally easy to use and are designed to deliver uninterrupted compressions at a consistent rate and depth to facilitate ROSC.
Improving Operations in the Field

Reduce the number of EMTs or firefighters to assist with CPR during a cardiac emergency
Provide continuous, effective compressions, helping to maintain good circulation in the patient while medics remain seat-belted for better safety in a mobile environment
Simple and easy to use with minimal training, keeping the cost of ownership low

For the clinically progressive agency

Deliver chest compressions according to the guidelines – ensuring compressions continue uninterrupted at a consistent depth to facilitate ROSC
Work in tandem with cooling therapies or impedance threshold devices for a comprehensive approach to patient resuscitation
Deliver effective, consistent, uninterrupted chest compressions and can help effectively manage the code scene while helping the patient to maintain good circulation
Help maintain coronary perfusion pressure without interruption which is crucial to improving patient outcomes
Enable the intervention to continue in the event of a cardiac arrest in the cath lab by providing consistent, guidelines-quality chest compressions, which facilitates blood circulation to supply oxygen to vital organs.