Abstract: Trans-esophageal cardiac compression is performed during cardiopulmonary resuscitation by introducing into the esophagus a tube (12) having a distal inflatable member, such as a balloon (20). The balloon (20) is positioned in the esophagus (48) at the level of the ventricles of the heart (50). A rapidly cycling pump (16) (such as a compressible bag) is attached to the tube (12), and used to inflate and deflate the balloon (20) on the tube (12). As the balloon (20) inflates, it compresses the ventricles against the sternum (54), increases the transmural pressure across the ventricular wall, and propels blood out of the heart (50) into the aorta and pulmonary arteries. The balloon (20) is inflated and deflated at a rate of approximately 60 cycles to 80 cycles per minute to maintain perfusion of the heart, brain and other vital organs until more definitive therapy can reestablish the contractile activity of the heart.