Co-ordinated intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic pressures regulate cough assisted cardiac circulatory support

Abstract Periodically case studies emerge that demonstrate voluntary and forced coughing in ventricular fibrillation or asystole can maintain consciousness for up to 100 s. Forced cough is effective in producing co-ordinated abdominal muscle contraction and increases in intra-abdominal and thoracic pressures. These co-ordinated pressure changes are likely to be responsible for assisted circulation. In this short communication we discuss some of the possible abdominal physiological mechanisms for cough assisted circulatory support.