Open chest cardiac massage is still practiced in some instances of cardiac arrest.
The historical development of this technique is frequently attributed to Moritz Schiff
[
[1]
], one of the most distinguished physiologists of the latter half of the 19th century
[
[2]
]. In 1874, Schiff was in charge of the physiology laboratory at the Institute of Advanced
Studies in Florence in Italy. Doctor G. Hake joined him while he was investigating
the comparative effects of ether and chloroform and in one of their articles published
in The Practitioner in 1874, Hake described how Schiff practiced open-chest cardiac massage after cessation
of heart function produced while using chloroform [
[3]
] and Green addressed the matter again later in 1906[
[4]
].“The heart is in a vital state favorable to its renewed action when paralyzed by the influence of chloroform on the vaso-motor nerves, is demonstrated by Professor Schiff's practice of artificial circulation. He lays open the thoracic cavity, and, compressing the passive heart with his fingers, imitates in it the periodic movements of the organ. The circulation is restored, the nerves of the heart recover their force, and the organ finally resumes its spontaneous action. Before long, signs of returning sensibility become apparent, the reflex action of the eyelid return and the animal is now capable of being brought back to the cerebral consciousness.” [[3]].
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 18,
2002
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
