Effectiveness of Chest Compression-Synchronized Ventilation in Patients with Cardiac Arrest

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the optimal ventilation mode during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by comparing the effects of chest compression-synchronized ventilation (CCSV) and intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) on arterial blood gases. Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study included patients presenting with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who were randomly assigned to the CCSV or IPPV groups. Arterial blood gas analysis was performed at the start of CPR and 10 min after initiating mechanical ventilation. Primary outcomes included changes in the arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide pressures. Results: Of the 144 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, 30 were included in the study, with 15 each assigned to the CCSV and IPPV groups. The median arterial oxygen pressure in the CCSV group was 76.1 [22.8; 260.3 interquartile range], compared with 8.8 [-1.6; 113.9 interquartile range] in the IPPV group (p = 0.250). The change in carbon dioxide pressure was -10.3 [-18.3; -2.7 interquartile range] in the CCSV group and -11.5 [-39.5; 5.6 interquartile range] in the IPPV group (p = 0.935). Wilcoxon signed-rank test results revealed significant differences in arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide pressure levels before and after treatment in the CCSV group (p = 0.026 and 0.048, respectively). However, in the IPPV group, changes in arterial partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide before and after treatment were non-significant (p = 0.095 and 0.107, respectively). Conclusions: Although CCSV significantly improved oxygenation and ventilation in patients undergoing CPR, it cannot be considered superior to IPPV.