Chest Compression Superimposed with Sustained Inflation or 3:1 Compression/Ventilation Ratio During Neonatal...

Background: Current resuscitation guidelines recommend a 3:1 chest compression/ventilation (C:V) ratio, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. An alternative might be continuous chest compression superimposed with high distending pressure or sustained inflation (CC + SI). Objective: To compare CC + SI with 3:1 C:V during neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Methods: MEDLINE (through PubMed), Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Clinical Trials.gov through June 2024. Randomized controlled trials comparing CC + SI with 3:1 C:V during neonatal CPR in the delivery room were included. Data Analysis included Risk of bias was assessed using the Covidence collaboration tool, and results were pooled into a meta-analysis using a fixed effects model. Main outcomes were In-hospital mortality (primary). Time to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and air leak (secondary). Results: Two studies were included. The pooled data suggests no difference in infant mortality between CC + SI versus 3:1 C:V during neonatal CPR (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.21,1.7, p = 0.33, I² = 63%). The use of CC + SI during neonatal CPR could result in 182 fewer per 1000 (from 351 fewer to 311 more) infant deaths. The pooled data suggested a significant reduction in time to ROSC with CC + SI versus 3:1 C:V during neonatal CPR (mean difference 115 s (from 184.75 to 45.36 s), p = 0.001, I² = 26%). Air leak was not different between groups. Conclusions: While in-hospital mortality and air leak were not different between groups, time to ROSC was significantly reduced. A large clinical trial is warranted to assess if CC + SI improves outcomes.