enCPR

enCPR, short for enhanced noninvasive cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an umbrella term used to describe noninvasive approaches intended to sustain or improve perfusion during cardiac arrest without surgical access to the chest. The term covers a range of technologies and protocols designed to augment blood flow, oxygen delivery, and cerebral perfusion while standard CPR is maintained or enhanced.

Common elements within enCPR include mechanical chest compression systems that provide consistent, high-quality compressions, adjuncts that optimize venous return and coronary perfusion such as impedance threshold devices, and noninvasive monitoring and feedback tools that help teams optimize timing and depth of compressions. Some enCPR approaches also explore targeted ventilation strategies and external modalities to support circulation.

Origin and use: The term emerged in contemporary resuscitation literature as researchers sought to categorize noninvasive methods that could be deployed rapidly by EMS and hospital teams. It remains a loosely defined concept rather than a single protocol, with different groups proposing varying combinations of devices and workflows.

Evidence and reception: Clinical evidence for enCPR is still evolving. While nonrandomized studies and simulations have reported improvements in surrogate hemodynamic endpoints, rigorous randomized trials have produced mixed results, and guidelines have not universally endorsed a single enCPR approach. Adoption tends to vary by region, resource availability, and familiarity with adjunct devices.

Related topics include CPR, ECPR, and resuscitation science.