A device 500 for lowering intrathoracic pressure in a patient, the device characterized by:a housing 502 comprising an interface 504 adapted to couple the housing to a patient's airway； a negative pressure source 506 in fluid communication with the housing and configured to extract respiratory gases from the patient's lungs and airway； means 508 to regulate the negative pressure source to create and periodically maintain a negative intrathoracic pressure until a positive pressure breath is applied； and a positive pressure port 510 in fluid communication with a positive pressure source for intermittently supplying positive pressure breaths to the person.
