Repeated, rhythmic compression of the heart through the chest wall or, during surgery, directly to the heart in an effort to maintain circulation during cardiac arrest as part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The procedure used to restart the action of the heart if it is suddenly arrested. In many cases the arrested heart can be made to start beating again by rhythmic compression of the chest wall. This is done by placing the patient on a hard surface — a table or the floor — and then placing the heel of the hand over the lower part of the sternum and compressing the chest wall firmly, but not too forcibly, at the rate of 100 times a minute. At the same time artificial respiration must be started by the mouth-to mouth method. Open heart massage is sometimes undertaken if an arrest occurs during a chest operation — the heart being directly handled by the resuscitator.
Manual compression of the heart to restore heartbeat after the heart has stopped. This is accomplished by applying pressure over the sternum between the nipples (closed chest massage) or through an incision in the chest wall (open chest massage), forcing blood out of the heart and, when pressure is removed, allowing the heart to fill as if it were beating.
Cardiac massage, also known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is a procedure performed when the heart ceases to beat. Its purpose is to sustain blood circulation, particularly to vital organs like the brain. During cardiac massage, rhythmic compressions are applied to the heart to expel blood into the circulatory system. The pressure is then released, allowing the heart to refill with blood. This cycle is repeated continuously until the heart resumes its normal beating rhythm or until the individual is declared deceased. Cardiac massage serves as a critical intervention to maintain blood flow and oxygenation during a cardiac arrest.
There are two primary types of cardiac massage: external cardiac massage and internal cardiac massage. External cardiac massage involves applying pressure to the chest, specifically the sternum, to compress the heart and facilitate blood circulation. On the other hand, internal cardiac massage is performed when the heart is directly accessible and involves manually massaging the exposed heart. Both techniques are utilized in specific circumstances to provide life-saving interventions during cardiac arrest situations.