Abstract: A method for resuscitating a patient from cardiac arrest, comprising: (a) administering CPR, and (b) administering: i) an amount of one or more vasopressor agents, or one or more vasopressinergic agonists, or a combination thereof, sufficient to increase the patient's arterial blood pressure; and ii) an amount of L-arginine, nitric oxide, a direct nitric oxide donor, or another nitric oxide donor, or a combination thereof, sufficient to enhance arterial blood flow to the patient's brain and heart, as well as kits and pharmaceutical compositions useful for practicing the method are described.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for treating a patient suffering from heart failure. According to one exemplary method, a facial mask is sealed around the patient's mouth and nose, with the mask including a one-way expiration valve and an inspiratory threshold valve. The threshold valve is biased to open when a threshold pressure within the mask is in the range from about -3 cm H.sub.2 O to about -25 cm H.sub.2 O. With this arrangement, the patient breathes while the mask is sealed to the face, with the respiratory gasses being prevented from entering the patient's lungs during inhalation until the patient produces a pressure within the mask that is within the range from about -3 cm H.sub.2 O to about -25 cm H.sub.2 O. At this point, the inspiratory valve opens to allow respiratory gasses into the lungs.

Abstract: According to the invention, methods and devices for increasing cardiopulmonary circulation induced by chest compression and decompression when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation are provided. Cardiopulmonary circulation is increased according to the invention by impeding airflow into a patient's lungs to enhance the extent and duration of negative intrathoracic pressure during decompression of the patient's chest. Enhanced extent and duration of negative of intrathoracic pressure thus promotes venous blood flow into the heart and lungs from the peripheral venous vasculature. In one embodiment, impeding the airflow into the patient's lungs is accomplished by placing a ventilation tube in the patient's airway. The ventilation tube contains either a flow restrictive orifice disposed within or connected in series with a lumen of the ventilation tube, or a pressure-responsive valve within a lumen of the tube to impede the inflow of air.

Abstract: According to the invention, methods and devices for increasing cardiopulmonary circulation induced by chest compression and decompression when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation are provided. Cardiopulmonary circulation is increased according to the invention by impeding air flow into a patient's lungs to enhance the extent and duration of negative intrathoracic pressure during decompression of the patient's chest. Enhanced extent and duration of negative of intrathoracic pressure thus promotes venous blood flow into the heart and lungs from the peripheral venous vasculature. In one embodiment, impeding the air flow into the patient's lungs is accomplished by placing a ventilation tube in the patient's airway. The ventilation tube contains either a flow restrictive orifice disposed within or connected in series with a lumen of the ventilation tube, or a pressure-responsive valve within a lumen of the tube to impede the inflow of air.