The effect of open-chest cardiac resuscitation on mitral regurgitant flow: an on-line transesophageal echocardiographic study in dogs.

Introduction: We sought to determine the effect of cardiac massage on a pre-existing regurgitant mitral valve during open-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OCCPR) in an animal experiment.

Methods: Our study included 29 dogs that were used as experimental models. We anesthetized them and inserted a transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) probe.