Controversial Issues: Pro Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Kylie Dyson; Dion Stub; Stephen Bernard; Karen Smith

doi:10.1016/j.ccl.2018.03.004

Controversial Issues: Pro Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Cardiol Clin. 2018 Aug;36(3):367-374. doi: 10.1016/j.ccl.2018.03.004.

Authors

Kylie Dyson¹, Dion Stub², Stephen Bernard³, Karen Smith⁴

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Research and Evaluation, Ambulance Victoria, 375 Manningham Road, Doncaster, VIC 3108, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia. Electronic address: Kylie.Dyson@ambulance.vic.gov.au.
² Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Cardiology Department, Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Cardiology Department, Western Health, Gordon Street, Footscray, VIC 3011, Australia; Medical Directorate, Ambulance Victoria, 375 Manningham Road, Doncaster, VIC 3108, Australia.
³ Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Medical Directorate, Ambulance Victoria, 375 Manningham Road, Doncaster, VIC 3108, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Research and Evaluation, Ambulance Victoria, 375 Manningham Road, Doncaster, VIC 3108, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Monash University, McMahons Road, Frankston, VIC 3199, Australia.

PMID: 30293603
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccl.2018.03.004

Abstract

High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation, in particular chest compressions, is a key aspect of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) resuscitation. Manual chest compressions remain the standard of care; however, the extrication and transport of patients with OHCA undermine the quality of manual chest compressions and risk the safety of paramedics. Therefore, in circumstances whereby high-quality manual chest compressions are difficult or unsafe, paramedics should consider using a mechanical device. By combining high-quality manual chest compressions and judicious application of mechanical chest compressions, emergency medical service agencies can optimize paramedic safety and patient outcomes.

Keywords: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Emergency medical services; Equipment; Mechanical chest compressions; Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / instrumentation*
Emergency Medical Services / methods*
Equipment Design
Humans
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest / therapy*