Chest Compression Duration May Be Improved When Rescuers Breathe Supplemental Oxygen

At sea level, performing chest compressions is a demanding physical exercise. On a commercial flight at cruise altitude, the barometric pressure in the cabin is approximately equal to an altitude of 2438 m. This results in a Po2 equivalent to breathing an FIo2 of 15% at sea level, a condition under which both the duration and quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may deteriorate. The authors hypothesized that rescuers will be able to perform fewer rounds of high-quality CPR at an FIo2 of 15%. In this crossover simulation trial, 16 healthy volunteers participated in 2 separate sessions and performed up to 14 2-min rounds of chest compressions at an FIo2 of either 0.15 or 0.21 in randomized order. Subjects were stopped if their Spo2 was below 80%, if chest compression rate or depth was not achieved for 2/3 of compressions, or if they felt fatigued or dyspneic. Fewer rounds of chest compressions were successfully completed in the hypoxic than in the normoxic condition, (median [IQR] 4.5 [3,8.5]) vs. 5 [4,14]). The decline in arterial Spo2 while performing chest compressions was greater in the hypoxic condition than in the normoxic condition [mean (SD), 6.19% (4.1) vs. 2% (1.66)]. The findings suggest that the ability of rescuers to perform chest compressions in a commercial airline cabin at cruising altitude may be limited due to hypoxia. One possible solution is supplemental oxygen for rescuers who perform chest compressions for in-flight cardiac arrest.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.5698.2020
• Record URL:
  • https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asma/amhp/2020/00000091/00000012/art00004
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/23756314
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of the Aerospace Medical Association.
• Authors:
  • Clebone, Anna
  • Reis, Katherine
  • Tung, Avery
  • Oconnor, Michael
  • Ruskin, Keith J
• Publication Date: 2020-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 918-922
• Serial:
  • Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance
  • Volume: 91
  • Issue Number: 12
  • Publisher: Aerospace Medical Association
  • ISSN: 2375-6314
  • EISSN: 2375-6322
  • Serial URL: https://asma.org/publications/journal/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biochemical oxygen demand; Cardiovascular diseases; Emergency medical technicians; Flight personnel; Hypoxia; Physiological aspects; Physiological fatigue
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01759992
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 14 2020 5:40PM