Assessing the safety of a displaced chest compression to the left and caudally. First results using a detailed thoracic finite element model

Abstract

Purpose of the study: Chest compressions on the left ventricle can improve hemodynamics and survival during CPR [ [1] Anderson K.L. Castaneda M.G. Boudreau S.M. Sharon D.J. Bebarta V.S. Left ventricular compressions improve hemodynamics in a swine model of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2017; 21: 272-280 Crossref PubMed Scopus (25) Google Scholar ]. Individualized compressions would require an alternative compression point that may be displaced to the left and caudally [ [2] Nestaas S. Stensæth K.H. Rosseland V. Kramer-Johansen J. Radiological assessment of chest compression point and achievable compression depth in cardiac patients. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2016; 24: 54 Crossref PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar ]. The aim of this study is to assess the risk of rib fractures using a displaced compression (DC).