INTERNAL CARDIAC MASSAGE Meaning and
Definition
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Internal cardiac massage is a medical procedure performed in emergency situations to manually stimulate and maintain blood circulation during cardiac arrest. It is a form of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that focuses specifically on restoring blood flow through the heart by providing direct compression to the heart muscle. This technique is typically employed when external chest compressions are insufficient or ineffective in delivering oxygenated blood to vital organs and tissues.
During internal cardiac massage, a healthcare professional or surgeon inserts their hand into the patient's thoracic cavity, between the ribs, to reach the heart. The hand is placed on the surface of the heart and synchronized with the patient's natural heart rhythm, providing forceful compressions to restore circulation. This action helps manually pump blood out of the heart chambers and into the systemic circulation, leading to the oxygenation and perfusion of vital organs.
Internal cardiac massage requires a high level of expertise and is usually carried out in a controlled environment, such as a hospital operating room. It is a last resort technique and is typically employed when other methods, such as external chest compressions, defibrillation, and medications, have failed to revive the patient. The duration for which internal cardiac massage is administered varies depending on the underlying condition of the patient, the responsiveness of their heart, and the success achieved in restoring blood flow.
Overall, internal cardiac massage plays a critical role in maintaining circulation during cardiac arrest and can potentially buy precious time until more advanced interventions, like emergency surgery or cardiovascular interventions, can be performed.
