a method and device to support blood circulation during ventilation of the lungs which include controlling the application of the respiratory gases to occur at a particular point in time in the heart activity , and applying a uniform pressure to resist expansion of the thorax cavity to increase pressure on the heart during the heart &# 39 ; s systole . the device which applies a respiratory gas and the uniform pressure includes a control device which senses the heart &# 39 ; s activity to determine the desired point in time of the heart cycle .