Comparison of standard and over-the-head method of chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation - a simulation study

Alternative techniques for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in extreme environments - A scoping review

Background

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is essential for saving lives during cardiac arrest, but performing CPR in extreme environments poses unique challenges. In scenarios ranging from hypogravity or microgravity to confined spaces like aeroplanes and underwater scenarios, traditional CPR techniques may be inadequate. This scoping review aims to identify alternative chest compression techniques, synthesise current knowledge, and pinpoint research gaps in resuscitation for cardiac arrest in extreme conditions.

Methods

PubMed and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials as well as the website of ResearchGate was searched to identify relevant literature. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they evaluated alternative chest compression techniques, including manual or mixed CPR approaches, whilst assessing feasibility and effectiveness based on compression depth, rate, and/or impact on rescuer effort.

Results

The database search yielded 9499 references. After screening 26 studies covering 6 different extreme environments were included (hypogravity: 2; microgravity: 9, helicopter: 1, aeroplane: 1, confined space: 11; avalanche: 2). 13 alternative chest compression techniques were identified, all of which tested using manikins to simulate cardiac arrest scenarios.

Conclusion

To address the unique challenges in extreme environments, novel CPR techniques are emerging. However, evidence supporting their effectiveness remains limited.

In-water resuscitation during a surf rescue: Time lost or breaths gained? A pilot study

BACKGROUND

A technique called in-water resuscitation (IWR) was devised on a surfboard to ventilate persons who seemingly did not breathe upon a water rescue. Despite IWR still raises uncertainties regarding its applicability, this technique is recommended by the International Liaison Committee for Resuscitation (ILCOR). Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of IWR with a rescue board before and during towing and, to compare rescue times and rescue-associated fatigue levels between rescues with rescue breath attempts and without (SR).

METHODS

A randomized crossover pilot test was conducted: 1) IWR test with pocket mask and, 2) Conventional SR test. IWR tests were conducted using a Laerdal ResusciAnne manikin (Stavanger, Norway). Three groups of variables were recorded: a) rescue time (in s), b) effective ventilations during rescue, and c) rating of perceived effort (RPE).

RESULTS

Focusing on the rescue time, the performance SR was significantly faster than IWR rescue which took 61 s longer to complete the rescue (Z = -2.805; p = 0.005). No significant differences were found between techniques for the RPE (T = -1.890; p = 0.095). In the IWR analysis, lifeguards performed an average of 27 ± 12 rescue breaths.

CONCLUSION

The application of IWR on a rescue board is feasible both at the time of rescue and during towing. It shortens the reoxygenation time but delays the arrival time to shore. Both IWR and SR result in similar levels of perceived fatigue.

Is the Over-the-Head Technique an Alternative for Infant CPR Performed by a Single Rescuer? A Randomized Simulation Study with Lifeguards

(1) Objective: The objective was to evaluate the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR, chest compressions and ventilations) when performed by a lone first responder on an infant victim via the over-the-head technique (OTH) with bag-mask ventilation in comparison with the standard lateral technique (LAT) position. (2) Methods: A randomized simulation crossover study in a baby manikin was conducted. A total of 28 first responders performed each of the techniques in two separate CPR tests (15:2 chest compressions:ventilations ratio), each lasting 5 min with a 15 min resting period. Quality CPR parameters were assessed using an app connected to the manikin. Those variables were related to chest compressions (CC: depth, rate, and correct CC point) and ventilation (number of effective ventilations). Additional variables included perceptions of the ease of execution of CPR. (3) Results: The median global CPR quality (integrated CC + V) was 82% with OTH and 79% with LAT (p = 0.94), whilst the CC quality was 88% with OTH and 80% with LAT (p = 0.67), and ventilation quality was 85% with OTH and 85% with LAT (p = 0.98). Correct chest release was significantly better with OTH (OTH: 92% vs. LAT: 62%, p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the remaining variables. Ease of execution perceptions favored the use of LAT over OTH. (4) Conclusions: Chest compressions and ventilations can be performed with similar quality in an infant manikin by lifeguards both with the standard recommended position (LAT) and the alternative OTH. This option could give some advantages in terms of optimal chest release between compressions. Our results should encourage the assessment of OTH in some selected cases and situations as when a lone rescuer is present and/or there are physical conditions that could impede the lateral rescue position.

Assessment of over-the-head resuscitation method in an inflatable rescue boat sailing at full speed. A non-inferiority pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Drowning is a public health problem. Interrupting the drowning process as soon as possible and starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can improve survival rates. Inflatable rescue boats (IRBs) are widely used worldwide to rescue drowning victims. Performing CPR in special circumstances requires adjusting the position based on the environment and space available. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of over-the-head resuscitation performed by rescuers aboard an IRB in comparison to standard CPR.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental, quantitative, cross-sectional pilot study was conducted. Ten professional rescuers performed 1 min of simulated CPR on a QCPR Resuscy Anne manikin (Laerdal, Norway) sailing at 20 knots using two different techniques: 1) standard CPR (S-CPR) and 2) over-the-head CPR (OTH-CPR). Data were recorded through the APP QCPR Training (Laerdal, Norway).

RESULTS

The quality of CPR was similar between S-CPR (61%) and OTH-CPR (66%), with no statistically significant differences (p = 0.585). Both the percentage of compressions and the percentage of correct ventilations did not show significant differences (p > 0.05) between the techniques.

CONCLUSION

The rescuers can perform CPR maneuvers with acceptable quality in the IRB. The OTH-CPR technique did not show inferiority compared to S-CPR, making it a viable alternative when boat space or rescue conditions do not allow the conventional technique to be performed.

The Impact of Compression Rates on the Quality of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Cross Over Randomized Control Study in Manikin

Background

High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HQ-CPR) focuses on improving heart and brain blood perfusion. The evaluation of HQ-CPR included depth, frequency, rate of chest compressions, and the occurrence of chest recoil between two chest compressions. Staff performing CPR may not be performing HQ-CPR since it is influenced by individual stamina, physical strength, and lack of target marker. We aimed to study the impact of 100 times per minute rate vs. 120 times per minute CPR rate on the depth and percentage of depth-on-target done by trained staff on a manikin.

Methods

This was a cross-over randomized control study. The subjects were anesthesiology and intensive care residents in a tertiary teaching hospital in Indonesia, all certified to perform advanced life support. The subject was asked to perform both CPR of 100 and 120 times per minute after a period of one-day rest. The standardized adult manikin was used, and the depth of CPR was measured using a pad-sensor attached to the manikin, and the results were transferred to recording software. Analysis was done using the chi-square analysis, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 35 subjects were included. The results showed that the average compression depth at 100 times/minute was more statistically superficial than the 120 times/minute treatment (5.210 ± 0.319 vs. 5.430 ± 0.283, p = 0.007). In contrast, the compression depth-on-target percentage was significantly higher at a speed of 100 times per minute (37.130 ± 10.233 vs. 18.730 ± 7.224, p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

One hundred times per minute CPR resulted in a statistically significant lower compression depth, although not clinically significant, with a statistically significant higher percentage of compression depth-on-target than 120 times per minute CPR.

Impact of the Over-the-Head Position with a Supraglottic Airway Device on Chest Compression Depth and Rate: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

There is considerable controversy regarding the optimal airway management strategy in the case of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Registry-based studies yield contradicting results and the actual impact of using supraglottic devices on survival and neurological outcomes remains unknown. In a recent simulation study, the use of an i-gel^® device was associated with significantly shallower chest compressions. It was hypothesized that these shallower compressions could be linked to the provision of chest compressions in an over-the-head position, to the cumbersome airway management apparatus, and to a shallower i-gel^® insertion depth in the manikin. To test this hypothesis, we carried out a post hoc analysis, which is described in this report. Briefly, no association was found between the over-the-head position and compression depth.

Effect of Early Supraglottic Airway Device Insertion on Chest Compression Fraction during Simulated Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Randomised Controlled Trial

Early insertion of a supraglottic airway (SGA) device could improve chest compression fraction by allowing providers to perform continuous chest compressions or by shortening the interruptions needed to deliver ventilations. SGA devices do not require the same expertise as endotracheal intubation. This study aimed to determine whether the immediate insertion of an i-gel^® while providing continuous chest compressions with asynchronous ventilations could generate higher CCFs than the standard 30:2 approach using a face-mask in a simulation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. A multicentre, parallel, randomised, superiority, simulation study was carried out. The primary outcome was the difference in CCF during the first two minutes of resuscitation. Overall and per-cycle CCF quality of compressions and ventilations parameters were also compared. Among thirteen teams of two participants, the early insertion of an i-gel^® resulted in higher CCFs during the first two minutes (89.0% vs. 83.6%, p = 0.001). Overall and per-cycle CCF were consistently higher in the i-gel^® group, even after the 30:2 alternation had been resumed. In the i-gel^® group, ventilation parameters were enhanced, but compressions were significantly shallower (4.6 cm vs. 5.2 cm, p = 0.007). This latter issue must be addressed before clinical trials can be considered.