Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation-Related Head Trauma: A Case Report

In all cases of cardiac arrest, adequate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performance is crucial for survival. There are differences between the performances of CPR in pediatric cases compared to CPR in adults. In all cases in which CPR is needed, there is a possibility for the occurrence of CPR-related traumatic injuries.

We used all available forensic examination methods in order to provide objective forensic investigation conclusions and feedback to clinicians.

We present an untypical case of head trauma with intracranial bleeding caused via CPR-related traumatic injury. Although it is not connected with the mechanism and genesis of death, it should be noted as being practically casuistic. The child had a severe congenital heart malformation. The surgical team decided that surgery was absolutely necessary. Complications developed in the postoperative period. On the second postoperative day, cardiac arrest occurred, CPR was performed, and the girl survived for 15 minuntil there was a second cardiac arrest. A second CPR was performed, but she died. During the forensic autopsy, with the exception of expected findings, head bruising and intracranial bleeding were registered.

The forensic conclusion was that the head trauma was caused accidentally during CPR due to the non-voluntary impact of the head with respect to the background of anticoagulant therapy, which was one possible factor for the massive bleeding.