Background Rescuer posture, position, and patient height during chest compressions (CC) influence its efficacy and efficiency. No clear recommendations exist on these aspects. It is essential to systematize the existing knowledge, especially for nurses and healthcare providers involved in resuscitation.
Purpose: To conduct a systematic review about the impact of rescuer posture, position, and manikin/patient height on CC efficacy and efficiency.
Methods The study followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO. Eligibility criteria included peer-reviewed articles or conference papers comparing different rescuer postures, positions, or manikin/patient heights during CC performed with both hands, regarding efficacy or efficiency. Databases consulted: MEDLINE Complete, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Reviews, and CINAHL Complete. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies.
Results Of 6539 articles, only 34 met inclusion criteria. All were observational, used manikins, and were classified as weak in global methodological quality. Compared with standing, several studies suggested the kneeling posture may be associated with more effective and efficient CC. Evidence regarding the optimal patient height, including potential anthropometric-based adjustments, remains limited. Findings across the included studies indicated that variations in hand position appeared to have minimal influence on CC quality. Some studies reported decreased CC quality when rescuers performed CC while walking.
Conclusions The available evidence suggested that performing CC while kneeling on a firm surface may be beneficial when feasible. Future research is needed to further evaluate the impact of bed height, self-selected rescuer position, and their relevance to emergency practice.
Objective Our aim was to compare the compression quality, exercise intensity, and energy expenditure in 5-minute single-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using 15:1 or 30:2 compression-to-ventilation (C:V) ratios or chest compression only (CCO).
Methods This was a randomized, crossover manikin study. Medical students were randomized to perform either type of CPR and do the others with intervals of at least 1 day. We measured compression quality, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) score, heart rate, maximal oxygen uptake, and energy expenditure during CPR.
Results Forty-seven students were recruited. Mean compression rates did not differ between the 3 groups. However, the mean percentage of adequate compressions in the CCO group was significantly lower than that of the 15:1 or 30:2 group (31.2±30.3% vs. 55.1±37.5% vs. 54.0±36.9%, respectively; P<0.001) and the difference occurred within the first minute. The RPE score in each minute and heart rate change in the CCO group was significantly higher than those of the C:V ratio groups. There was no significant difference in maximal oxygen uptake between the 3 groups. Energy expenditure in the CCO group was relatively lower than that of the 2 C:V ratio groups.
Conclusion CPR using a 15:1 C:V ratio may provide a compression quality and exercise intensity comparable to those obtained using a 30:2 C:V ratio. An earlier decrease in compression quality and increase in RPE and heart rate could be produced by CCO CPR compared with 15:1 or 30:2 C:V ratios with relatively lower oxygen uptake and energy expenditure.
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Objective This study aimed to compare the optimal chest compression depth for infants and children with that of adults when the simulated compression depth was delivered according to the current guidelines.
Methods A total of 467 consecutive chest computed tomography scans (93 infants, 110 children, and 264 adults) were reviewed. The anteroposterior diameter and compressible diameter (CD) for infants and children were measured at the inter-nipple level and at the mid-lower half of the spine for adults. Compression ratio (CR) to CD was calculated at simulated 1/4, 1/3, and 1/2 antero-posterior compressions in infants and children, and simulated 5- and 6-cm compressions in adults.
Results In adults, the CRs to CD at simulated 5- and 6-cm compression depth were 41.7±0.16%, 50.0±7.3% respectively. In children and infants, the CRs to CD at 1/3 chest compression were 55.1±2.4% and 51.8±2.4%, respectively, and at 1/2 chest compression, CRs were 82.7±3.7% and 77.7±3.6%, respectively. The CRs to CD of 4-cm compression depth in infants and 5-cm compression depth in children were 74.4±10.9%, 62.5±8.7%, respectively. The CRs to CD for children and infants were significantly higher than in adults (P<0.001). The CR to CD of 4-cm compression depth in children was almost similar to that of 6-cm compression depth in adults (50.0± 6.9% vs. 50.0±7.3%, P=0.985).
Conclusion Current pediatric guidelines for compression depth are too deep compared to those in adults. We suggest using 1/3 of the anteroposterior chest diameter or about 4 cm in children and less than 4 cm in infants.
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