High-quality Chest Compressions Research Articles

Evaluation of IntuBrite® laryngoscope for endotracheal intubation performed by paramedics in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with particular insight on patients with obesity – A randomised control study

BackgroundAirway management next to the high-quality chest compressions and early defibrillation is one of the most important procedures performed by paramedics during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The aim of the presented study was to assess the time and effectiveness of endotracheal intubation performed by a paramedics during OHCA with the use of a classic Macintosh laryngoscope (MCL) and an IntuBrite laryngoscope (IBL). MethodsA total of 60 adult patients were qualified for the study. The tested laryngoscopes were evaluated in terms of the effectiveness and time of procedure, the degree of difficulty of intubation attempts and individual patient factors, with particular emphasis on obesity, which may negatively affect the intubation performance in pre-hospital care. ResultsThe overall number of successful intubations with the IBL was 30 (100 %), and with a MCL 20 (66,67 %). Efficiency of first intubation attempt (FIA) using, the IBL was 86,67 % (n = 26/30) while for the MCL it was 66,67 % (n = 20/30). During second attempt, 100 % of patients were intubated with the IBL and none with the MCL. The median time to first intubation (IT) was 18,12 s for the IBL and 19,86 s for the MCL. Non-obese patients were more effectively intubated than those with obesity (94,4 % vs 66,67 %, p = 0.01). ConclusionsFIA success of patients with OHCA using the IBL was significantly higher than the MCL (p = 0.0008), for both in the first and in the total number of intubation attempts. There were no statistically significant differences in the time of intubation between individual laryngoscopes. Non-obese patients were significantly more effectively intubated during CPR than obese patients (p = 0.01).

Effect of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a multinational, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial

BackgroundOut-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a significant public health issue worldwide and is associated with low survival rates and poor neurological outcomes. The generation of optimal coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) via high-quality chest compressions is a key factor in enhancing survival rates. However, it is often challenging to provide adequate CPP in real-world cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) scenarios. Based on animal studies and human trials on improving CPP in patients with nontraumatic OHCA, resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a promising technique in these cases. This study aims to investigate the benefits of REBOA adjunct to CPR compared with conventional CPR for the clinical management of nontraumatic OHCA.MethodsThis is a parallel-group, randomized, controlled, multinational trial that will be conducted at two urban academic tertiary hospitals in Korea and Taiwan. Patients aged 20–80 years presenting with witnessed OHCA will be enrolled in this study. Eligible participants must fulfill the inclusion criteria, and written informed consent should be collected from their legal representatives. Patients will be randomly assigned to the intervention (REBOA-CPR) or control (conventional CPR) group. The intervention group will receive REBOA and standard advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS). Meanwhile, the control group will receive ACLS based on the 2020 American Heart Association guidelines. The primary outcome is the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The secondary outcomes include sustained ROSC, survival to admission, survival to discharge, neurological outcome, and hemodynamic changes.DiscussionOur upcoming trial can provide essential evidence regarding the efficacy of REBOA, a mechanical method for enhancing CPP, in OHCA resuscitation. Our study aims to determine whether REBOA can improve treatment strategies for patients with nontraumatic OHCA based on clinical outcomes, thereby potentially providing valuable insights and guiding further advancements in this critical public health area.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT06031623. Registered on September 9, 2023

Chest compression quality comparing 1-min vs 2-min rotation of rescuers wearing N95 masks

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by rescuers wearing well-sealed respirators such as N95 masks, was associated with significant reduction in the chest compression rate and depth. This was attributed to fatigue during the standard 2-min rescuer rotations. We hypothesized that in such situations, rotating rescuers every one minute, instead of the standard two minutes would improve CPR quality. AimTo compare the quality of chest compressions when rescuers wearing N95 masks are rotated every one minute, instead of the standard practice of two-minute rotations. MethodsA randomized, controlled, crossover trial was conducted, with the approval of the institutional Ethics Committee. Medical students who volunteered as rescuers were trained to perform high-quality chest compressions on a manikin, and then randomly allocated into pairs. Each pair was randomized to one of two trial groups viz. one-minute rotations crossed-over to two-minute rotations; and vice versa. Thus, each pair performed CPR with one-minute rotations, as well as two-minute rotations Each CPR session included chest compressions for a duration of 12 min. The outcome parameters included CPR quality, compression depth, compression rate, and chest compression fraction. Rescuer fatigue was measured before and after each study session using the modified Borg scale. ResultsFifty-six participants completed the study. The overall CPR quality was statistically similar in the study arms (median 88% vs. 81%, p = 0.09). However, the minute-to-minute inter-arm comparison revealed significantly lower CPR quality in the 2-min rotation arm, at the end of minutes 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 (respective p-values 0.03, 0.001, 0.008, 0.02, 0.002). A similar trend was observed in compression depth also. Rescuer fatigue score was significantly less with 1-min rotations compared to 2-min rotations (p < 0.001). Rescuer vital signs and cardiorespiratory parameters were not different with the two types of rotations. ConclusionDuring CPR performed by rescuers wearing N95 masks, the quality of CPR appears to be superior with rescuers rotating at 1-min instead of 2-min intervals. More frequent rotation was also associated with less rescuer fatigue.

Comparison of hemodynamic effects of chest compression delivered via machine or human in asphyxiated piglets

BackgroundHigh-quality chest compressions (CC) are an important factor of neonatal resuscitation. Mechanical CC devices may provide superior CC delivery and improve resuscitation outcomes. We aimed to compare the hemodynamic effects of CC delivered by machine and human using a neonatal piglet model.MethodsTwelve asphyxiated piglets were randomized to receive CC during resuscitation using an automated mechanical CC device (“machine”) or the two-thumb encircling technique (“human”). CC was superimposed with sustained inflations.ResultsTwelve newborn piglets (age 0–3 days, weight 2.12 ± 0.17 kg) were included in the study. Machine-delivered CC resulted in an increase in stroke volume, and minimum and maximum rate of left ventricle pressure change (dp/dtmin and dp/dtmax) compared to human-delivered CC.ConclusionsDuring machine-delivered CC, stroke volume and left ventricular contractility were significantly improved. Mechanical CC devices may provide improved cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes in neonatal cardiac arrest induced by asphyxia.ImpactMachine chest compression leads to changes in hemodynamic parameters during resuscitation of asphyxiated neonatal piglets, namely greater stroke volume and left ventricular contractility, compared with standard two-thumb compression technique. Mechanical chest compression devices may provide improved cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes in neonatal and pediatric asphyxia-induced cardiac arrest.

Residual Psychomotor Skills of Orderlies After a Novel Chest Compression Training Intervention.

High-quality chest compressions are essential to favorable patient outcomes after in-hospital cardiac arrest. Without frequent training, however, skill in performing compressions declines considerably. The Timely Chest Compression Training (T-CCT) intervention was introduced in 2019 as a quality improvement initiative to address this problem. The long-term impact of the T-CCT is unknown. A cohort study was conducted at a university-affiliated hospital in Quebec, Canada. Chest compression performance among orderlies was measured by using a subtractive scoring model and mannequins. The association of exposure to the T-CCT 10 months earlier with having an excellent chest compression performance (score ≥90 out of 100), after adjusting for potential confounders, was examined. A total of 412 orderlies participated in the study. More than half (n = 232, 56%) had been exposed to the T-CCT, and the rest (n = 180, 44%) had not. Nearly half (n = 106, 46%) of orderlies exposed to the T-CCT had an excellent performance, compared with less than one-third (n = 53, 30%) of nonexposed orderlies. In univariable analysis, previous exposure to the T-CCT was associated with 1.53 times greater risk of having an excellent performance (risk ratio, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.17-1.99). This effect remained after adjustment for potential confounders (risk ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.19-2.07). The results of this study suggest that the T-CCT has a lasting effect on the psychomotor skills of orderlies 10 months after initial exposure. Further research should investigate the impact of the intervention on patient outcomes after in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Efficacy of in-bed chest compressions depending on provider position during in-hospital cardiac arrest: a controlled manikin study.

In contrast to the pre-hospital environment, patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest are usually lying in a hospital bed. Interestingly, there are no current recommendations for optimal provider positioning. The present study evaluates in bed chest compression quality in different provider positions during in-hospital-cardiac-arrest. Paramedics conducted four resuscitation scenarios: manikin lying on the floor with provider position kneeling next to the manikin (control group), manikin lying in a hospital bed with the provider kneeling astride, kneeling beside or standing next to the manikin. A resuscitation board was not used according to the current guideline recommendations. Quality of resuscitation, compression depth, compression rate and percentage of compressions with complete chest rebound were recorded. Afterwards, the paramedics were asked about subjective efficiency and fatigue. Data were analyzed using Generalized-Linear-Mixed-Models and, in addition, by non-parametric Friedman test. A total of 60 participants were recruited. The total quality of chest compressions was significantly higher in floor-based control position compared to the standing (P<.001) and both kneeling positions (P<.05). Also, the compression depth was significantly more guideline compliant in the control (P<.001) and the kneeling position (P<.05) compared to the standing position. The compression frequency as well as the complete chest wall recoil did not differ significantly. The standing position was rated as more fatiguing than the other positions (p≤0.001), kneeling beside as subjectively more efficient than the standing position (P<0.001). In case of an in-bed resuscitation high quality chest compressions are possible. Kneeling astride or beside the patient should be preferred because these positions demonstrated a good chest compression quality and were more efficient and less exhaustive.

Bilingual resuscitation training does not affect adherence to resuscitation guidelines but reduces leadership skills and overall team performance. An observational study with cross-border German-Polish training

Aim of studyThis study aims to investigate feasibility and quality of a bilingual cardiopulmonary resuscitation training with interprofessional emergency teams from Germany and Poland. MethodsAs part of a cross-border European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg-VA) funded project a combined communication and simulation training was organised. Teams of German and Polish emergency medicine personnel jointly practised resuscitation. The course was held in both languages with consecutive translation.Quality of chest compression was assessed using a simulator with feedback application. Learning objectives (quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, adherence to guidelines, closed loop communication), and team performance were assessed by an external observer. Coopeŕs Team Emergency Assessment Measure questionnaire was used. ResultsTwenty-one scenarios with 17 participants were analysed. In all scenarios, defibrillation and medication were delivered with correct dosage and at the right time. Mean fraction of correct hand position was 85.7% ± 25.7 [95%-CI 74.0; 97.4], mean fraction of compression depth 75.1% ± 21.0 [95%-CI 65.6; 84.7], compression rate 117.7 min−1 ± 7.1 [95%-CI 114.4; 120.9], and chest compression fraction 83.3% ± 3.8 [95%-CI 81.6; 85.0].Quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was rated as “fair” to “good”, adherence to guidelines as “good”, and closed loop communication as “fair”. Bilingual teams demonstrated good situational awareness, but lack of leadership and suboptimal overall team performance. ConclusionBilingual and interprofessional cross-border resuscitation training in German and Polish tandem teams is feasible. It does not affect quality of technical skills such as high-quality chest compression but does affect performance of non-technical skills (e.g. closed loop communication and leadership).

High-Quality Chest Compression for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Using Newly-Designed Automatic Device.

High-quality chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can remarkably improve survival rate and reduce the risk of secondary injury. In this study, a newly-designed automatic chest compression device was applied on an animal model and the effects of chest compression were examined in comparison of manual compression and machine compression by a commercialized device. Three pigs (weight:30±2 kg) were used for the experiment. A LUCAS2 CPR machine and the newly-designed CPR device were used for automatic compression treatment. Compression pressure and chest displacement were collected in the process of CPR. Regarding the statistical distribution of compression depths, the new CPR device showed a mean of the depths at 1.64 inches, which was greater than that of manual (mean = 1.21 inches) and of LUCAS2 (mean = 1.18 inches). In addition, the new CPR device showed a standard deviation (SD) of compression depths at 0.07 inches, which was lower than that of manual (SD = 0.15 inches) and of LUCAS2 (SD = 0.25 inches). These results suggested that the new CPR device performed higher compression depths with lower compression variability, indicating enforced compression and better stability. This study provided a preliminarily outcomes validating the new CPR device, which may play a role in high-quality chest compression for the first aid in emergency.Clinical Relevance- This study established an animal model to validate a newly-designed automatic device for CPR. Comparing with manual chest compression and automatic compression using LUCAS2, the new device showed greater compression depths and better stability, which may provide more effective CPR treatment for clinical usage.

Association of Training in Basic Life Support with the Evolution of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Performed by Firefighters.

This study aimed to compare the results of professional technical and anthropometric anamnesis data with the transmission of external chest compressions performed by military firefighters at different execution times. The objective was to evaluate the performance and perceived effort of the sequence of external chest compressions performed in two minutes, as well as the evolution of the technique over time. This was a descriptive, correlational study involving adult firefighters who were members of a specific firefighter group, comprising a population of 105 individuals with a voluntary sample of 44 participants. The study used a Bayesian statistical approach to provide probabilistic expressions. The participants had an average work experience of 17 years, an average age of 38.6 years, an average weight of 81.48 kilograms, an average height of 176 centimeters, and an average of 2.5 qualifications. The results indicated that the firefighters performed external chest compressions with excellent technique and a moderate level of perceived effort in a two-minute evaluation. The evaluation of the evolution of the technique over time showed that the participants were able to maintain high-quality compressions for an average of 6 minutes, with a maximum of 20 uninterrupted minutes. The study underscores the critical role of professional firefighters in performing and maintaining high-quality external chest compressions, which has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality in cases of cardiorespiratory arrest.

Under pressure: What individual characteristics lead to performance of high-quality chest compressions during CPR practice sessions?

AimDespite well-established protocols for cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, performance during real-life cardiac arrests can be suboptimal. Understanding personal characteristics which could influenceperformance of high-quality chest compressions could provide insight into the practice-performance gap. This study examined chest compressionperformance, while employing feedback and introducing code team sounds as an anxiety-inducing factor in registered nurses using a cardiopulmonary resuscitation training manikin. MethodsParticipants included 120 registered nurses with basic life support certification randomized to one of the following groups: no feedback and no code team sounds, feedback without code team sounds, or feedback with code team sounds. Chest compression sessions occurred at baseline, 30-days and 60-days. Demographic variables and anxiety level were also collected. The primary outcome was chest compression performance, defined as average percent of time with correct rate and percent with correct depth as captured by the defibrillator. Statistical analysis included linear mixed effects analysis. ResultsThe effect of feedback on chest compression performance depended on the value of other parameters. The benefit of feedback on the primary outcome depended on: age, with feedback less beneficial among older participants (p = 0.0413); and time, with feedback more beneficial with repetition (p = 0.011). These interactions also affected the outcome percent of time with correct compression depth. Increased anxiety was associated with decreased percent correct compression depth (p < 0.001). ConclusionFeedback emerged as important in determining chest compression performance. Chest compression quality was limited by the performer’s age and anxiety level. Future research should focus on identifying factors related to individual characteristics which may influence chest compression performance.

The novelties of adult advanced life support and post-resuscitation therapy

The fourth element of chain-of-survival contains advanced life support and post-resuscitation treatment. Both treatment options influence the outcome of patients suffering cardiac arrest. Advanced life support includes all interventions that require special medical equipment and expertise. High-quality chest compressions and early defibrillation (if indicated) compose the main elements of advanced life support. Clarifying and treating the cause of cardiac arrest have also high priority, in which point-of-care ultrasound plays an important role. In addition, securing higher level of airway and capnography, securing intravenous or intraosseous line, and the parenteral administration of drugs - such as epinephrine or amiodarone - are the most important steps of advanced life support. If conventional therapy is unsuccessful, extracorporeal circulatory support can be used in special patient populations. The protection of vital organs that are sensitive to hypoxia (brain and heart) has a high priority after the return of spontaneous circulation beside the causative treatment of cardiac arrest. The most important parts of the supportive post-resuscitation treatment are: targeting normoxia, normocapnia, normotension, normoglycemia, and the application of target temperature management. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(12): 454-462.

Pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Our aim is to summarize the new European Resuscitation Council (ERC) 2021 guidelines on paediatric life support. In children, exhaustion of compensatory mechanisms in respiratory or circulatory failure leads to cardiac arrest. Recognition and treatment of children in critical condition are the most important element of its prevention. With the ABCDE approach, life-threatening problems can be identified and treated using simple interventions (bag-mask ventilation, intraosseous access, fluid bolus, etc.). Important new recommendations: 4-hand ventilation during bag-mask ventilation, target saturation of 94-98% during oxygen therapy, and fluid bolus of 10 ml/kg. In pediatric basic life support, if there is no normal breathing after 5 initial rescue breaths in absence of signs of life, chest compression should be initiated immediately using primarily two-thumb encircling method for infants. Recommended rate is 100-120/min, ratio of compression to ventilation is 15:2. Pediatric advanced life support is a teamwork. The structure of the algorithm is unchanged, high-quality chest compression is still a paramount. Recognition and treatment of potential reversible causes (4H-4T) and the decisive role of focused ultrasound are emphasized. New features: recommendation of 4-hand technique bag-mask ventilation, role of capnography, and age-dependent ventilatory rate in the case of continuous chest compression after endotracheal intubation. Drug therapy is unchanged, the fastest way to administer adrenaline during resuscitation is via intraosseous access. Treatment after return of spontaneous circulation decisively influences neurological outcome. Patient care is further based on the ABCDE scheme. Important goals are maintaining normoxia, normocapnia, avoiding hypotension, hypoglycemia, fever and use of targeted temperature management. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(12): 463-473.

Knowledge regarding Basic Life Support among Health Care Workers of the Hospital of Nepal.

Basic life support refers to a sequence of care provided to patients who are experiencing respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, or airway obstruction. It is a specific level of prehospital medical care provided by the trained responders, including emergency medical technicians, in the absence of advanced medical care to maintain the patient's life. BLS course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations, and provide early use of an AED. According to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, every missed minute in applying defibrillation in a cardiac arrest decreases the survival rate by 70%-10%. According to European Resuscitation Council (ERC), early resuscitation and prompt defibrillation (within 1-2 minutes) can result in >60% survival. A quantitative, descriptive study design is used in this study. A purposive sampling technique was used, and the sample size was 95. A self-structuredclose-ended questionnaire was used to assess the level of knowledge of the participants. The finding revealed that among 95 participants, only 12% had adequate, 55% had moderate, and 32% had inadequate knowledge about Basic Life Support. The study showed that knowledge among healthcare workers about basic life support is insufficient for the majority of participants. There is a significant association between dependent and independent variables.

Effect of the Brief Instructional Video Intervention on the Quality of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Background: Chest compressions are the basis of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and high-quality chest compressions can improve survival rate in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Although many efforts have been made to improve the quality of CPR in inexperienced adults, the results are still not high, especially during emergencies. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate whether a brief instructional chest compression-only CPR video could improve chest compression quality in inexperienced adults. Methods: One hundred adults with no CPR experience (age: 20.28 ± 2.28 years; women: 50, men: 50) participated in this study. Participants completed body composition and handgrip strength measurements, and performed two CPR quality tests on the Laerdal® Little Anne QCPR Manikin, namely without video-CPR (WV-CPR) and video-CPR (V-CPR). The WV-CPR quality test was performed first. After 2 minutes of continuous chest compression, the participants rested for 10 seconds and repeated 3 cycles (phase 1, phase 2, and phase 3). After resting for more than 72 hours, V-CPR quality test was conducted. During the V-CPR with video intervention, the participants also continued to compress the chest for 2 minutes, and then rested for 10 seconds, repeating 3 cycles. Results: In phase 1, compared with WV-CPR, the V-CPR has a significant increase (p < 0.001) in chest compression fraction (CCF) (56.31 ± 33.22% vs. 41.82 ± 32.30%) and percent of correct compression rate (PCCR) (96.17 ± 8.45% vs. 26.31 ± 37.55%). In addition, the V-CPR has significantly lower (p < 0.001) chest compression rate (CCR) (110.85 ± 2.40 cpm vs. 128.86 ± 24.52 cpm) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) (11.89 ± 2.25 vs. 12.87 ± 2.25). For phases 2 through 3, V-CPR and WV-CPR achieved significant differences in CCF, CCD, CCR, PCCR, and RPE (p < 0.01). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in CCF, CCD, chest compression rebound rate, and RPE among the different administration stages of both WV-CPR and V-CPR. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that a brief instructional chest compression-only CPR video could improve chest compression quality for inexperienced adults by reducing fatigue and CCR, and increasing CCF and PCCR.

Introduction to ecological innovations in resuscitation training. Does made of cardboard has to mean single-use?

Aim: To assess the initial usefulness of an innovative, ecological manikin made of cardboard and coconut fiber, which is intended for resuscitation training. Material and methods: The study was conducted with the use of a mechanical chest compression device and assistance of human subjects. The first phase quantified the initial durability of the manikin. Phases two and three initially assessed manikins’ mechanical properties, its resistance to repetitive chest com¬pression training, and the quality of chest compressions performed on the tested manikin. Results: 268 and 49 participants took part in the first and the second phase of the study, respectively. The total number of chest compressions performed on the manikin was 30.736 and 4.928, respectively. The number of mechanical chest compressions reached 75.000 in phase three. The mean compression depth ranged between 47.1 ± 1.4 and 52.7 ± 0.6 mm, and the compression force ranged from 577 ± 10.0 to 686 ± 187 N. The rate of compressions ranged from 99.5 to 133/min, and the percentage of complete chest recoil ranged from 62.1 ± 20.3% to 100%. Conclusions: The tested ecological manikin invented for the purpose of resuscitation training provides the parameters necessary for students to master the ability to deliver high-quality chest compressions in terms of depth, rate, full recoil and force needed to perform chest compressions in a large adult. Durability tests showed that a manikin made of ecological materials can also be used multiple times, for many training groups.

Left ventricle chest compression improves ETCO2, blood pressure, and cerebral blood velocity in a swine model of cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation

IntroductionDuring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), high quality chest compressions are critical to organ perfusion, especially the brain. Yet, the optimal location for chest compressions is unclear. It was hypothesized that compared with the standard chest compression (SCC) location, left ventricle chest compressions (LVCCs) would result in greater end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), blood pressure (BP), and cerebral blood velocity (CBV) during CPR in swine. MethodsFemale Landrace swine (N = 32; 35 ± 2 kg) underwent two mins of untreated asphyxiated cardiac arrest (CA). Thereafter, swine were treated with three 2-min cycles of either SCC or LVCC mechanical basic life support CPR (LUCAS 3). ETCO2 (in-line sampling), BP (arterial catheter line), and CBV (transcranial Doppler) were measured during the pre-CA, untreated-CA, and CPR-treated phases. ResultsETCO2, BP, and CBV were similar between groups at pre- and during untreated-CA (P ≥ 0.188). During CPR, ETCO2 (36 ± 6 versus 24 ± 10 mmHg, P < 0.001), mean arterial BP (MAP; 49 ± 9 versus 37 ± 9 mmHg, P = 0.002), and CBV (11 ± 5 versus 5 ± 2 cm/s, P < 0.001) were significantly greater in the LVCC versus SCC group. Moreover, a greater proportion of animals obtained targets for ETCO2 (ETCO2 ≥ 20 mmHg; 52 % (17/33) versus 100 % (32/32), P < 0.001) and diastolic BP (DBP ≥ 25 mmHg; 82 % (33/40) versus 97 % (48/49), P = 0.020) in the LVCC versus SCC group. ConclusionIndicators of cardiac output, BP, and cerebral perfusion during CPR were greatest in the LVCC group, suggesting the quality of chest compressions during BLS CPR may be improved by performing compressions over the left ventricle compared to the centre of the chest.

Can support surfaces characteristics influence high-quality chest compression? manikin experiment with a mechanical device

Background: Support surfaces variables, such as size, material, and density, can determine chest compression depth in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Objective: to analyze the force required to do a high-quality chest compression concerning different surfaces in CPR. Method: This experimental study was developed using a Little Anne manikin and a mechanical device to perform chest compressions. Nine sets of surfaces were tested and compared to a control. Results: 230 experimental tests were done in sets of bed or stretcher + mattress and presence or absence of different backboards. In the control condition, the average force to reach 5 cm of depth was 42.14±0.97 (kgf). Set 9, compatible with a narrow stretcher with a thin mattress, had the best surfaces to reach recommended depth, with or without a backboard. All other sets required significantly more force for high-quality chest compression. Regression analysis confirms that backboard size is not significant for the force for high-quality chest compression. Conclusion: There is an association of dimensions and types of beds or stretchers and mattresses with a force increase. Type and dimensions of the backboard are not relevant for the force required, regardless of the characteristics of the set of the bed or stretcher and mattress.

The Association Between the Duration of Chest Compression and Thoracic Injuries in Patients With Non-Traumatic Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Current guidelines emphasize the indispensability of high-quality chest compression for improving survival in patients who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, chest compression can cause thoracic injuries that may contribute to poor prognosis; therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the predictors of thoracic injuries and evaluate the association between thoracic injuries and prognosis.Methods and Results: Between June 2017 to July 2019, Utstein-style data on 384 consecutive adult patients who experienced non-traumatic OHCA and who were transferred to our hospital (Aso Iizuka Hospital) were collected. Each patient underwent a full-body computed tomography scan. Two-hundred and thirty-four patients (76%) had thoracic injuries (Group-T). The duration of chest compression was significantly longer in Group-T than in patients without thoracic injuries (Group-N; 43 vs. 32 min, respectively, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that older age and longer chest compression duration were predictors of thoracic injuries (odds ratios 1.03 and 1.07, respectively, P≤0.005). Among patients who achieved return of spontaneous circulation, Kaplan-Meier curves showed a significantly higher cumulative survival rate in Group-N than in Group-T at the 30-day follow up (log-rank test P=0.009). Older age and longer chest compression duration were independent predictors of thoracic injuries due to chest compression in patients who experienced non-traumatic OHCA. Moreover, the presence of thoracic injuries was associated with worse short-term prognosis.

Severe Vertebral Body Fracture-Dislocation as a Result of Chest Compressions: A Case Report

BackgroundAlthough high-quality chest compressions are an essential, lifesaving component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, injuries are common with both manual and mechanical chest compressions. Case ReportWe discuss the case of a 77-year-old woman who sustained thoracic vertebral fractures after cardiopulmonary resuscitation involving both manual and mechanical chest compressions. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?Routine post-cardiac arrest care should include evaluation for chest compression-related injury. If a patient has back pain, focal vertebral tenderness, or paraplegia after chest compressions, imaging to evaluate for vertebral fracture should be performed. If unable to assess for back pain or tenderness, consider imaging to evaluate for vertebral fracture in patients with kyphosis or osteopenia, as these patients are at higher risk for chest compression vertebral injury.

Advances in the study of optimum chest compression point for adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Chest compressions are a key component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The determination of the optimal compression point (OCP) in adult CPR is an indispensable critical factor for high quality chest compressions (CCs). At present, the OCP for adult CPR is still controversial, which still needs further research and discussion. To provide theoretical reference for determining the OCP, this paper reviews the research progress of the OCP of adult CPR from the development process of compression point and hemodynamic mechanism, so as to improve the quality of CCs and the outcome of cardiac arrest (CA) patients.