Sudden cardiac arrest is among the most serious health problems in both Europe and
the United States [
[1]
,
[2]
]. The ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation is among the basic skills
that should be possessed by medical personnel, including physicians, nurses, and paramedics
[
3
,
4
,
- Jorge-Soto C.
- Abilleira-González M.
- Otero-Agra M.
- Barcala-Furelos R.
- Abelairas-Gómez C.
- Szarpak L.
- et al.
Schoolteachers as candidates to be basic life support trainers: a simulation trial.
Cardiol J. 2018 Jul 16; https://doi.org/10.5603/CJ.a2018.0073
5
]. The current resuscitation guidelines emphasize minimizing interruptions in chest
compressions as a key factor affecting resuscitation effectiveness and thus the return
of spontaneous circulation. According to the current guidelines, high-quality chest
compressions are characterized by an appropriate frequency of 100–120 compressions per minute
(CPM), a corresponding compression depth of 50–60 mm, as well as complete chest relaxation
after each compression [
[6]
]. Performing chest compressions in this way determines the most effective perfusion
pressure and increases the chances for the return of spontaneous circulation [
[7]
,
[8]
]. According to many studies, though, the quality of resuscitation – even performed
by medical personnel – is often insufficient. Paramedics perform chest compressions
exceeding the recommended maximum rate and not reaching the recommendation for chest
compression depth.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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References
- A review of the utility of a hypothermia protocol in cardiac arrests due to non-shockable rhythms.Cardiol J. 2017; 24: 324-333https://doi.org/10.5603/CJ.a2017.0016
- Performance of chest compressions with the use of the new mechanical chest compression machine Lifeline ARM: a randomized crossover manikin study in novice physicians.Disaster Emerg Med J. 2016; 1: 30-36https://doi.org/10.5603/DEMJ.2016.0005
- Angiographic detection of fatal acute aortic dissection Stanford type A under resuscitation.Cardiol J. 2016; 23: 620-622https://doi.org/10.5603/CJ.2016.0103
- Schoolteachers as candidates to be basic life support trainers: a simulation trial.Cardiol J. 2018 Jul 16; https://doi.org/10.5603/CJ.a2018.0073
- CPR in terms of maritime search and rescue service working conditions.Disaster Emerg Med J. 2017; 2: 104-105https://doi.org/10.5603/DEMJ.2017.0022
- CPR using the lifeline ARM mechanical chest compression device: a randomized, crossover, manikin trial.Am J Emerg Med. 2017 Jan; 35: 96-100https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2016.10.012
- Is there any difference between different infant chest compression methods?.Disaster Emerg Med J. 2017; 2: 173-174https://doi.org/10.5603/DEMJ.2017.0039
- In situ simulation of cardiac arrest.Disaster Emerg Med J. 2017; 2: 116-119https://doi.org/10.5603/DEMJ.2017.0025
- Chest compressions in the emergency department: rate does not have to compromise compression depth.Resuscitation. 2013; 84: e13-e14https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2012.09.009
Article Info
Publication History
Published online: September 03, 2018
Accepted:
September 1,
2018
Received in revised form:
August 13,
2018
Received:
July 21,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
