Does CPR actually produce blood flow?

We’ve been taught that when we perform high-quality chest compressions, we’re circulating blood. But is that always true?

In this episode of the ACR Moonshot Podcast, Billy Croft and Joe Powell challenge one of the most basic assumptions in cardiac arrest resuscitation: that chest compressions automatically equal meaningful blood flow.

CPR creates pressure—but pressure alone doesn’t guarantee that blood is reaching the brain and heart where it matters most.

Billy and Joe break down the physiology behind CPR and explore how compression fraction, ventilation, intrathoracic pressure, interruptions in compressions, and the pressure gradients we create during resuscitation can determine whether we are actually producing forward blood flow.

This conversation challenges us to stop looking at CPR simply as a procedure and start looking at what we're really trying to accomplish: perfusion.

Because in cardiac arrest, doing CPR isn't enough.

We have to create flow.

Protect the Gradient.

Website: ACRMoonshot.com Email: leadership@acrmoonshot.com Facebook: ACR Moonshot Instagram: @acrmoonshot TikTok: @acrmoonshot31 YouTube: @acrmoonshot LinkedIn: ACR Moonshot

50.1% Neurologically Intact Survival by 2030.

Special Thanks To Our Sponsor : Zoll Medical

In this episode of Q&A with Joe and Billy: The Resuscitation Revolution, we explore the science, leadership, and culture behind Advanced Cardiac Resuscitation (ACR) and what it takes to improve survival from sudden cardiac arrest.

Joe and Billy discuss the evolving understanding of intrathoracic pressure regulation, coronary perfusion pressure, cerebral perfusion, and high-performance resuscitation systems. Beyond the science, the conversation focuses on the leadership and culture change required inside fire departments and EMS agencies to successfully implement ACR and improve outcomes for the communities we serve.

This podcast is designed for fire service leaders, paramedics, EMS professionals, medical directors, and anyone passionate about improving cardiac arrest survival.

Through real-world experience, open conversation, and lessons learned in the field, Joe and Billy aim to help agencies rethink resuscitation and move toward better science, better systems, and better outcomes.

Learn More About Advanced Cardiac Resuscitation

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Equipment & Technology Referenced

ZOLL Medical Corporation

🌐 https://www.zoll.com

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If you found value in this episode, follow the podcast, share it with your colleagues, and help us advance the science of resuscitation.

Sponsorship: ACR Moonshot would like to thank Zoll Medical for sponsoring this podcast and our efforts to saving more lives!

Join host Billy Croft and guest co-host Kevin Joles on the ACR Moon Shot podcast as they delve into the critical hand-off process at the ER for cardiac arrest patients. Recorded in Kansas City, MO, this episode explores the challenges first responders face when transferring patients and highlights the importance of educating emergency room teams on bundle of care to improve neurologically intact survival. Special guest Rod Cheney from Zoll Medical discusses the company and the innovative Zenix cardiac monitor. Tune in to learn how better communication and collaboration can lead to improved patient outcomes.

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Billy and Joe talk about what's on the horizon in the resuscitation.

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Billy and Joe sit down with Jason Patton of Fire Department Chronicles and Fire Department Coffee to discuss cardiac arrest survivability!

About our guest:

Jason Patton’s journey into the fire service began like a classic turning point in a story. It all started with a casual conversation with a friend.

At the time, he was working as a mechanic, following in his father’s footsteps despite his dad's advice against it. One day, his friend suggested a career shift to the fire service which required Jason to attend EMT school. This suggestion became the first domino in a remarkable journey. EMT school piqued Jason's interest in the human body and the world of medicine, setting the stage for what was to come. This eventually led to medic school and fire school, where he found his true passion for the fire service.

Today, Patton is a firefighter and paramedic with the Riviera Beach Fire Department. He has now been serving his community for the past 17 years, making a positive impact both within the department and the broader firefighting community. You may know him as the hilarious host of Fire Department Chronicles and/or the VP of Fire Department Coffee (FDC). This is where Patton’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through as he and FDC Co-founder/CEO Luke Schneider spearheaded the FDC’s meteoric growth as one of the fire service’s favorite staples.

https://www.firedeptcoffee.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZbWCodPFwH2QQn772QnUxQ

https://www.facebook.com/firedepartmentchronicles

https://www.tiktok.com/@firedepartmentchronicles?lang=en

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Billy talks with ACR founder Joe Powell to discuss ways to improve Cerebral Perfusion Pressure before EMS arrives.

www.acrmoonshot.com

Joe Powell sits down with his co-host Billy Croft to discuss the importance of leadership with ACR. Billy explains that all great leaders possess three important traits; curiosity, confidence and courage.

https://www.firehouse.com/leadership/article/55038345/six-paths-to-fire-department-leadership-curiosity-confidence-and-courage

www.acrmoonshot.com

Billy and Joe sit down with Dr. Sheldon Cheskes at the Citizen CPR Cardiac Arrest Summit in San Diego to discuss advancements in treating patients in cardiac arrest to better outcomes.

About our guest:

Dr. Cheskes’ research interests lie in the area of resuscitation science, particularly cardiac arrest resuscitation. He has a particular interest in CPR quality and its impact on cardiac arrest survival. He is also interested in systems of care for STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) and prehospital airway management.

He is a co-principal investigator of studies exploring the impact of early prehospital treatment of sepsis, and the principal investigator of a study assessing the impact of remote ischemic conditioning on clinical outcomes from STEMI.

He is also the principal investigator of studies exploring innovative techniques in the treatment of refractory ventricular fibrillation and automated external defibrillator deployment for cardiac arrest.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32084567/

Contact Info for Dr. Cheskes

sheldon.cheskes@sunnybrook.ca