Background: The LUCASââ??¢ device delivers mechanical chest compressions that have been shown in experimental\r\nstudies to improve perfusion pressures to the brain and heart as well as augmenting cerebral blood flow and end\r\ntidal CO2, compared with results from standard manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Two randomised pilot\r\nstudies in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients have not shown improved outcome when compared with manual\r\nCPR. There remains evidence from small case series that the device can be potentially beneficial compared with\r\nmanual chest compressions in specific situations. This multicentre study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and\r\nsafety of mechanical chest compressions with the LUCASââ??¢ device whilst allowing defibrillation during on-going\r\nCPR, and comparing the results with those of conventional resuscitation.\r\nMethods/design: This article describes the design and protocol of the LINC-study which is a randomised\r\ncontrolled multicentre study of 2500 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. The study has been registered at\r\nClinicalTrials.gov (http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00609778?term=LINC&rank=1).\r\nResults: Primary endpoint is four-hour survival after successful restoration of spontaneous circulation. The safety\r\naspect is being evaluated by post mortem examinations in 300 patients that may reflect injuries from CPR.\r\nConclusion: This large multicentre study will contribute to the evaluation of mechanical chest compression in CPR\r\nand specifically to the efficacy and safety of the LUCASââ??¢ device when used in association with defibrillation during\r\non-going CPR.
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