Impact of Infant Positioning on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Performance During Simulated Pediatric Cardiac Arrest:...

The primary objective was to determine the impact of infant positioning on cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance during simulated pediatric cardiac arrest.

A single-center, prospective, randomized, unblinded manikin study.

Medical university-affiliated simulation facility.

Fifty-two first-line professional rescuers (n = 52).

Performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was determined using an infant manikin model in three different positions (on a table [T], on the provider's forearm with the manikin's head close to the provider's elbow [P], and on the provider's forearm with the manikin's head close to the provider's palm [D]). For the measurement of important cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance variables, a commercially available infant simulator was modified. In a randomized sequence, healthcare professionals performed single-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 3 minutes in each position. Performances of chest compression (primary outcome), ventilation, and hands-off time were analyzed using a multilevel regression model.

Mean (± SD) compression depth significantly differed between table and the other two manikin positions (31 ± 2 [T], 29 ± 3 [P], and 29 ± 3 mm [D]; overall p < 0.001; repeated measures design adjusted difference: T vs P, -2 mm [95% CI, -2 to -1 mm]; T vs D, -1 mm [95% CI, -2 to -1 mm]). Secondary outcome variables showed no significant differences.

Compressions were significantly deeper in the table group compared to positions on the forearm during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, yet the differences were small and perhaps not clinically important.