1. An emergency procedure that employs rhythmic compression of the heart (either through the chest wall or, during surgery, directly to the heart) in an attempt to maintain circulation during cardiac arrest
   "The paramedics performed cardiac massage on the patient until they reached the hospital";
   - heart massage

Derived forms: cardiac massages

Type of: emergency procedure, massage

Part of: cardiac resuscitation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR, kiss of life, mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

Encyclopedia: Cardiac massage