Estimation of optimal CPR chest compression depth in children by using computer tomography

Pediatric consensus-driven cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines target chest compression (CC) depths of one third to one half anterior-posterior (AP) chest depth. Estimates for this target as assessed by computed tomography (CT) measurements of internal and external AP chest dimensions could direct future pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines.

A total of 280 consecutive chest CT scans in permuted blocks of 20 for each of 14 age divisions between 0 and 8 years were reconstructed and analyzed. External and internal AP depths were measured at midsternum, and residual chest depth was calculated at simulated one-third and one-half AP compressions.

After a simulated compression calculation, one-half external AP depth CC would result in residual internal depth of <10 mm for 94% (263 of 280) of children 3 months to 8 years. For a one-third external AP CC, only 0.4% (1 of 280) of children 3 months to 8 years had a calculated residual internal chest depth <10 mm.

By using CT reconstruction estimates of chest dimensions across the developmental spectrum from 0 to 8 years of age, we demonstrated that a simulated CC targeting approximately one-third external AP chest depth seems radiographically appropriate for children aged 3 months to 8 years, whereas simulated CC targeting approximately one-half external AP chest depth seems radiographically to be too deep, resulting in residual internal chest depth of <10 mm for most patients of this age.