Eli5: when giving CPR, wouldn’t the lungs be compressed and released, creating a vacuum and providing some oxygen? If so, how does brain hypoxia still occur?
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Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is poorly named. CPR’s goal is not to restore spontaneous sinus rhythm or breathing, but to delay brain death when these are absent.
External chest compressions impart just enough movement to the heart to cause its chambers and valves to shuffle some blood through the circulatory system. Any blood flow will allow gas exchange to occur in the brain, which can be sufficient to delay brain death.
Spontaneous heart function and breathing return only after whatever caused them to cease is resolved. CPR alone does not directly rectify the cause of cardiac or respiratory arrest.
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