According to the invention, methods and devices for increasing
cardiopulmonary circulation induced by chest compression and decompression
when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation are provided. According to
one method, a pressure responsive inflow valve is coupled to a patient's
airway. Chest compressions and chest decompressions are performed. During
chest decompression the inflow valve prevents respiratory gases from
entering the lungs until a certain negative intrathoracic pressure level
is exceeded at which time the one inflow valve opens. In this way, the
inflow valve assists in increasing the magnitude and duration of negative
intrathoracic pressure during decompression to enhance the amount of blood
flow into the heart and lungs. Further, the patient is supplied with a
pressurized respiratory gas through the inflow valve when the inflow valve
opens to ventilate the patient.