Abdominal Aortic Tourniquet Application for Non-Traumatic Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

The aim of the study is to investigate whether occluding the abdominal aorta with an external device could be a potential therapeutic option in cases of non-traumatic cardiac arrest occurring outside of a hospital.

In cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops beating, causing the circulation of blood to collapse. In this situation, vital organs-especially the brain and the heart itself-are no longer adequately supplied with oxygen. Without immediate treatment, severe damage or death occurs within minutes.

The study therefore examines a specific intervention: the temporary occlusion of the abdominal aorta, which carries blood to the lower regions of the body. If this artery is blocked for a short period, the available blood can be redirected more effectively to the upper parts of the body. In theory, this could improve the oxygen supply to these organs and increase the likelihood that the heart will resume beating or that neurological damage can be reduced.