COMPLIANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HUMAN CHEST DURING CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION

The authors determined the compliance properties of the human chest during mechanical compression of the sternum in 11 adults. These subjects were undergoing sternal compression either as part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation following cardiac arrest or while preparing for resuscitative measures in subjects with intact circulation and no prior chest trauma. Sternal force was exerted for 0.6 sec and then released to 0.4 sec 60 times per minute. Peak force was increased in stepwise fashion between compressions and the induced displacement of the sternum measured throughout each compression and release cycle up to a maximum peak force of 70 to 100 lbs. The studies characterized chest compliance with sternal pressure. They provide the basis for the continued use of subjects who have undergone prior, relatively brief periods, of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the study of chest compliance characteristics and point to the need for further studies using a variety of location and size of areas for force application.

• Corporate Authors:

  Johns Hopkins Hospital

  401 North Broadway Street
  Baltimore, MD  United States  21287

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Weisfeldt, M L
• Publication Date: 1979-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 64 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adults; Compression; Dislocation (Geology); Human beings; Injuries; Thorax
• Old TRIS Terms: Compressing; Sternum; Traumatic shock
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00337866
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-HS-805-800
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-5-01569
• Files: NTIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 15 2003 12:00AM