Clinical evaluation of active abdominal lifting and compression CPR in patients with cardiac arrest

Chest compression is a standard recommendation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, chest compression cannot be effectively applied under certain situations, such as chest wall deformity, rib fracture, or hemopneumothorax. An alternative method, abdominal compression, was reported to achieve better resuscitation outcomes in these patients.

A prospective study was performed in adult patients with cardiac arrest and anticipated ineffective chest compression (thoracic trauma, chest deformity, rib fracture, and hemopneumothorax). Active abdominal lifting and compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation was used. Primary outcome was success rate of restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Secondary outcomes included heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse oximetry saturation (SpO₂), arterial blood pH value, arterial oxygen pressure (PaO₂), and arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO₂), which were measured during the periods of pre-CPR, CPR, and 30min post-ROSC.

A total of 35 patients were enrolled into the study. Five of them had ROSC (14.3%), which was statistically significantly higher than that (0%) reported in the 2015 Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support manual. HR, MAP, and SpO₂ during CPR were also statistically significantly higher during CPR when compared to the period of pre-CPR period (HR 58 versus 0 beats/min, P<0.01; MAP 25 versus 0mm Hg, P<0.01; SpO₂ 0.68 versus 0.48%, P<0.01). In post-ROSC period, HR was statistically significantly higher than that during pre-CPR period (121 versus 0 best/min, P<0.01).

Active abdominal lifting and compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation could reach better resuscitation outcomes in certain cardiac arrest patients.