I am studying a novel ultrasound method, RescueDoppler, which aims to replace manual pulse palpation during ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). RescueDoppler is an ultrasound probe that is placed over the common carotid artery using an self-adhesive patch. This allows for continuous monitoring of blood flow and, importantly, the method is user-independent. This feature may prove highly valuable in emergency situations where immediate feedback on circulatory status can be lifesaving.

Developing new medical equipment while conducting research on patients in acute, life-threatening conditions presents both practical and ethical challenges. Our research group is actively working on further development of the concept, and we have recently completed a pilot study involving cardiac arrest patients both in the prehospital setting in Bodø and in-hospital at St. Olavs Hospital.

Some findings from the pilot study have been presented in an abstract at the Resuscitation Science Symposium in Chicago, November 2024 (see under Publications). The main article is currently under peer review.

Following completion of patient inclusion in the pilot, we immediately launched a multicenter study in which RescueDoppler is being applied to cardiac arrest cases. A total of eight centres are participating: prehospital units in Bodø, Rosten, Lørenskog, and Bergen, and in-hospital settings at St. Olavs Hospital, Akershus University Hospital (Ahus), Rikshospitalet, and Ullevål Hospital.

Additionally, we have conducted a comparative study evaluating RescueDoppler technology against conventional ultrasound methods for measuring carotid blood flow in 42 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We also performed intraoperative measurements with RescueDoppler to assess its ability to detect changes in pulsatility and circulation when the cardiovascular system is manipulated under controlled and safe conditions.

• RescueDoppler