Evaluation of the 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for infant CPR finger/thumb positions for chest compression: A study using computed tomography

[Paediatric Life Support]

The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) Paediatric Life Support (PLS) guidelines are based on the 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). This section provides guidelines on the management of critically ill or injured infants, children and adolescents before, during and after respiratory/cardiac arrest.

European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: Paediatric Life Support

These European Resuscitation Council Paediatric Life Support (PLS) guidelines, are based on the 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations. This section provides guidelines on the management of critically ill infants and children, before, during and after cardiac arrest.

Impact of Infant Positioning on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Performance During Simulated Pediatric Cardiac Arrest: A Randomized Crossover Study

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to determine the impact of infant positioning on cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance during simulated pediatric cardiac arrest.

DESIGN

A single-center, prospective, randomized, unblinded manikin study.

SETTING

Medical university-affiliated simulation facility.

SUBJECTS

Fifty-two first-line professional rescuers (n = 52).

INTERVENTIONS

Performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was determined using an infant manikin model in three different positions (on a table [T], on the provider's forearm with the manikin's head close to the provider's elbow [P], and on the provider's forearm with the manikin's head close to the provider's palm [D]). For the measurement of important cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance variables, a commercially available infant simulator was modified. In a randomized sequence, healthcare professionals performed single-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 3 minutes in each position. Performances of chest compression (primary outcome), ventilation, and hands-off time were analyzed using a multilevel regression model.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Mean (± SD) compression depth significantly differed between table and the other two manikin positions (31 ± 2 [T], 29 ± 3 [P], and 29 ± 3 mm [D]; overall p < 0.001; repeated measures design adjusted difference: T vs P, -2 mm [95% CI, -2 to -1 mm]; T vs D, -1 mm [95% CI, -2 to -1 mm]). Secondary outcome variables showed no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Compressions were significantly deeper in the table group compared to positions on the forearm during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, yet the differences were small and perhaps not clinically important.

Optimizing Prone Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Identifying the Vertebral Level Correlating With the Largest Left Ventricle Cross-Sectional Area via Computed Tomography Scan

BACKGROUND

Placing the patient in the prone position frequently is required for some surgical procedures. If cardiac arrest occurs and the patient cannot be safely turned supine, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may need to be performed with the patient in the prone position. Although clear landmarks have been defined for supine CPR, the optimal hand position for CPR in the prone position has not been clearly determined. The purpose of this study was to determine anatomically the optimal hand position for CPR in the prone position.

METHODS

We reviewed retrospectively the chest computed tomography images of 100 patients taken in the prone position. The vertebral body levels crossing the medial angle of the scapula, the inferior angle of the scapula, and the spinous process of the vertebral body connected to the most inferior rib were identified, and we selected the image level at which the left ventricular (LV) cross-sectional area was the largest. This level was defined as the optimal compression level and correlated to surface anatomical landmarks. We calculated the ratio of the distance from the C7 spinous process to the level of the largest LV cross-sectional area divided by the distance from the C7 spinous process to the spinous process of the vertebral body connected with the most inferior rib.

RESULTS

The level of the largest LV cross-sectional area in the prone position was 1 vertebral segment below the inferior angle of the scapula in 45% (99% confidence interval [CI], 33-58) of patients and 0 to 2 vertebral segments below that in 95% (99% CI, 86-98) of patients. The mean (SD) ratio of the distance from the C7 spinous process to the level of the largest LV cross-sectional area divided by the distance from the C7 spinous process to T12 spinous process was 67% ± 7% (99% CI, 65-69).

CONCLUSIONS

When the patient is positioned prone, the largest LV cross-sectional area is 0 to 2 vertebral segments below the inferior angle of the scapula in at least 86% of patients. Further studies are needed to determine whether this position is optimal for chest compressions in the prone position.

Optimal Chest Compression Position for Patients With a Single Ventricle During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

OBJECTIVES

Few studies have examined cardiopulmonary resuscitation for patients with congenital heart disease, although they are at a high risk of cardiac arrest. Therefore, this study investigated the optimal chest compression position in patients with a single ventricle while providing them with basic life support.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective study of patients with a single ventricle who are undergoing chest CT.

SETTING

Tertiary teaching children's hospital.

PATIENTS

A total of 185 patients with a single ventricle, including 73 patients before a bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt, 61 patients after a bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt, and 51 patients after the Fontan operation.

INTERVENTIONS

Chest CT scans were reviewed.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Sternal length was defined as the distance from the suprasternal notch to the xiphisternal junction. The optimal level of external cardiac compression was defined as the level at which the cross-sectional area of the systemic ventricle was the largest. The distance from the suprasternal notch to this level over the sternum was calculated. The structures below the intermammary line, the lower half and the lower third of the sternum, and the optimal level were determined. The level with the largest cross-sectional area of the ventricle was approximately the lower fourth of the sternum in all surgical stages: 86.5% ± 4.9% of the sternal length from the suprasternal notch before bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt, 85.9% ± 4.8% after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt, and 86.4% ± 6.3% after the Fontan operation. The liver was not identified at any level, whereas the ascending aorta was detected in 2.2%, 3.8%, and 24.9% at the level of the lower third of the sternum, the intermammary line, and the lower half of the sternum, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal compression position in patients with a single ventricle is approximately 5-25% of the lower sternum. The optimal compression level for patients with a single ventricle is lower than that suggested in current guidelines for the normal population.