The comparison of cardiopulmonary resuscitation-related trauma: Mechanical versus manual chest compressions

Rib fractures and other injuries after cardiopulmonary resuscitation for non-traumatic cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This study aims to ascertain the prevalence of rib fractures and other injuries resulting from CPR and to compare manual with mechanically assisted CPR. An additional aim was to summarize the literature on surgical treatment for rib fractures following CPR.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Embase, Medline Ovid, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.

REVIEW METHODS

The databases were searched to identify studies reporting on CPR-related injuries in patients who underwent chest compressions for a non-traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest. Subgroup analysis was conducted to compare the prevalence of CPR-related injuries in manual versus mechanically assisted chest compressions. Studies reporting on surgery for CPR-related rib fractures were also reviewed and summarized.

RESULTS

Seventy-four studies reporting CPR-related injuries were included encompassing a total of 16,629 patients. Any CPR-related injury was documented in 60% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 49-71) patients. Rib fractures emerged as the most common injury, with a pooled prevalence of 55% (95% CI 48-62). Mechanically assisted CPR, when compared to manual CPR, was associated with a higher risk ratio for CPR-related injuries of 1.36 (95% CI 1.17-1.59). Eight studies provided information on surgical stabilization of CPR-related rib fractures. The primary indication for surgery was the inability to wean from mechanical ventilation in the presence of multiple rib fractures.

CONCLUSION

Rib fractures and other injuries frequently occur in patients who undergo CPR after a non-traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest, especially when mechanical CPR is administered. Surgical stabilization of CPR-related rib fractures remains relatively uncommon.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Left rib fractures during cardiopulmonary resuscitation are associated with hemodynamic variations in a pig model of cardiac arrest

Background

Chest compressions (CC) are the cornerstone of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). But CC are also known to cause injuries, specifically rib fractures. The effects of such fractures have not been examined yet. This study aimed to investigate hemodynamic effects of rib fractures during mechanical CPR in a porcine model of cardiac arrest (CA).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective hemodynamic study in 31 pigs that underwent mechanical CC. Animals were divided into three groups based on the location of rib fractures: No Broken Ribs group (n = 11), Left Broken Ribs group (n = 13), and Right Broken Ribs group (n = 7). Hemodynamic measurements were taken at 10 seconds before and 10, 30, and 60 seconds after rib fractures.

Results

Baseline hemodynamic parameters did not differ between the three groups. Systolic aortic pressure was overall higher in the Left Broken Ribs group than in the No Broken Ribs group at 10, 30, and 60 seconds after rib fracture (p = 0.02, 0.01, and 0.006, respectively). The Left Broken Ribs group had a significantly higher right atrial pressure compared to the No Broken Rib group after rib fracture (p = 0.02, 0.01, and 0.03, respectively). There was no significant difference for any parameter for the Right Broken Ribs group, when compared to the No Broken Ribs group.

Conclusion

An increase in main hemodynamic parameters was observed after left rib fractures while right broken ribs were not associated with any change in hemodynamic parameters. Reporting fractures and their location seems worthwhile for future experimental studies.

Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation's Role in Helicopter Air Ambulances: A Narrative Review

Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) frequently respond to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) situations. Some have speculated mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (mCPR) may be able to rectify the inadequacy of human performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during transport. A number of studies have examined the performance of mCPR devices in the air medical setting specifically. Many aspects of the HEMS environment seem uniquely conducive to mCPR, and a growing body of research seems to suggest mCPR holds promise for the treatment of cardiac arrest by HEMS clinicians. Simulation studies show that mCPR leads to improved CPR performance compared with manual CPR in HEMS. Case reports and the experience of several HEMS programs suggest that mCPR can be effectively integrated into HEMS care. However, further research regarding the effectiveness of mCPR in the HEMS environment and in general cardiac arrest care is needed.

Trauma associated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation based on autopsy reports after the 2015 ERC guidelines

INTRODUCTION

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)-related injuries have not been assessed since the 2015 Resuscitation Guidelines were established.

AIM

To describe the incidence and severity of CPR-related injuries, and to evaluate the impact of the 2015 European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines on the objective assessment of injuries.

METHODS

This multicenter, retrospective study analyzed autopsy reports of patients who underwent CPR. The most severe injuries were objectively assessed using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and all injuries were summarized according to the New Injury Severity Score (NISS).

RESULTS

Among 628 autopsy reports analyzed, patient characteristics and case details were distributed as follows: male sex, 71.1%; median age, 67 years; out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, 89.2%; bystander CPR, 56.8%. CPR-related injuries included: rib(s) 94.6%; lung(s), 9.9%; sternum, 62.4%; liver, 2.5%; and spleen, 1.8%. The incidence of bystander-provided CPR and severity of injury were similar to CPR provided only by professionals. There were no difference between mechanical and manual compressions. Females were older (p = 0.0001) and, although the frequency of their injuries was similar to males, they were significantly more severe (p = 0.01). Patients with life-threatening injury exhibited a baseline profile similar to those without injury . The median score (according to AIS) of the most severe injury was 3 and the median of summary of injuries was 13 according to the NISS-low risk of fatal injury.

CONCLUSION

CPR-related injuries occurred frequently, although those that were life-threatening accounted for only 3% of cases. There were no differences between patients who were resuscitated by bystander(s) or by professionals and no differences between mechanical chest devices or manual resuscitation. Compared with a study based on the 2010 guidelines, similar injuries were found, but with more rib fractures, less visceral organ damage, and fewer life-threatening injuries.

CPR-related injuries after non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: survivors versus non-survivors

AIM

There have been no direct comparisons of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)-related injuries between those who die during CPR and those who survive to intensive care unit (ICU) admission. This study aimed to compare the incidence, severity, and impact on survival rate of these injuries and potential influencing factors.

METHOD

This retrospective multicenter study analyzed autopsy reports of patients who experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and were not admitted to hospital. CPR-related injuries were compared to OHCA patients with clinical suspicion of CPR-related injury confirmed on imaging when admitted to the ICU.

RESULTS

A total of 859 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) were divided into 2 groups: those who died during CPR and underwent autopsy (DEAD [n=628]); and those who experienced return of spontaneous circulation and admitted to the ICU (ICU [n=231]). Multivariable analyses revealed that independent factors of 30-day mortality included no bystander arrest, cardiac etiology, no shockable rhythm, and CPR-related injury. Trauma was independently associated with older age, bystander CPR, cardiac etiology, duration of CPR, and no defibrillation. CPR-related injury occurred in 30 (13%) patients in the ICU group and 547 (87%) in the DEAD group (p<0.0001). Comparison of injuries revealed that those in the DEAD group experienced more thoracic injuries, rib(s) and sternal fractures, and fewer liver injuries compared to those in the ICU group, without differences in injury severity.

CONCLUSION

CPR-related injuries were observed more frequently in those who died compared with those who survived to ICU admission. Injury was an independent factor of 30-day mortality.

[CME: Mechanical Assist Devices in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation]

CME: Mechanical Assist Devices in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Abstract. Early high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of a cardiac arrest is the most effective measure to improve the outcome. With the aim of improving the quality of resuscitation and replacing the need of manual compression, various mechanical assist devices have been developed and are used in the clinical practice. When should they be used, whether do they lead to better outcomes and what injuries are they associated with? These questions have been examined in several studies and the following review will provide an overview.