A comparison of autopsy detected injuries in a porcine model of cardiac arrest treated with either manual or mechanical chest compressions

Eur J Emerg Med. 2011 Apr;18(2):108-10. doi: 10.1097/MEJ.0b013e32833e79cf.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the complications of cardiopulmonary resuscitation after manual or mechanical chest compressions in a swine model of ventricular fibrillation. In this retrospective study, 106 swine were treated with either manual (n=53) or mechanical chest compressions with the LUCAS device (n=53). All swine cadavers underwent necropsy. The animals with no autopsy findings were significantly fewer in the LUCAS group (P=0.004). Sternal fractures were identified in 18 animals in the manual and only two in the LUCAS group (P=0.003). Rib fractures were present in 16 animals in the manual and only four in the LUCAS group (P=0.001). Nine animals in the manual, and two in the LUCAS group had liver hematomas (P=0.026%). In the manual group, eight animals were detected with spleen hematomas whereas no such injury was identified in the LUCAS group (P=0.003). LUCAS devise minimized the resuscitation-related trauma compared with manual chest compressions in a swine model of cardiac arrest.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autopsy
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / adverse effects*
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / instrumentation*
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / methods
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fractures, Bone / etiology*
  • Fractures, Bone / pathology
  • Heart Arrest / therapy*
  • Heart Massage / adverse effects
  • Heart Massage / methods
  • Male
  • Random Allocation
  • Rib Fractures / etiology
  • Rib Fractures / pathology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sternum / injuries
  • Sternum / pathology
  • Swine
  • Thoracic Injuries / etiology
  • Thoracic Injuries / pathology