CPR Rescuer Fatigue on Chest Compression Effectiveness

Context:

Pediatric cardiac arrests result in poor outcomes. Effective chest compressions improve survival in such patients. Unfortunately, compressions are generally inadequately performed and the quality of compressions given deteriorates rapidly with time. Current American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines call for faster and deeper chest compressions with minimization of interruptions. The effect of fatigue on operational performance while adhering strictly to these AHA guidelines is unknown. In addition, there is little pediatric data on rescuer fatigue and chest compression deterioration. Also, the use of a stepstool may affect the quality of chest compressions and may also have an impact on the fatigue of the rescuer. Understanding the biomechanics during optimal chest compression performance may prove useful in the recommendations of conditions and equipment for execution of more effective chest compressions during a cardiac arrest. We will aim to observe and understand the biomechanical qualities that allow for the most effective compressions.

Objectives:

• To determine whether the quality of chest compressions deteriorates at the same rate in pediatric models as compared to adult models. To determine the relationship between physiologic/metabolic markers of work in rescuers and chest compression deterioration.
• To determine the effect of stepstool use on the quality of chest compressions and metabolic demand. To determine whether the quality of chest compressions deteriorates at the same rate in participants using a stepstool compared to those not using a stepstool.

Study Design/Setting/Participants:

This prospective, randomized experimental trial will be performed at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Participants will be healthcare practitioners who routinely provide chest compressions in the course of their work. Lay practitioners will be excluded.

Study Measures:

Participants will be asked to perform continuous chest compressions on pediatric and adult sized manikins. Compression rate, depth, applied force as well as participant physiologic work efficiency and anaerobic threshold will be recorded. To evaluate the second objective, a new cohort of participants will perform continuous chest compressions on an adult sized manikin with and without a stepstool.. Compression rate, depth, applied force as well as participant physiologic work efficiency and anaerobic threshold will also be recorded. Videotaping of each subject will also be used for comparison of subjective assessment of chest compression quality and objective chest compression quality data.

Inclusion criteria

• Males or females age 22 to 65 years.
• Resident physicians, fellows, attendings, nurses and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who routinely perform chest compressions in the Critical Care units and Emergency Department.

Exclusion criteria

• Lay practitioners
• Pregnant women
• Chronic medical Condition limiting exertional capacity