Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) complications encountered in forensic autopsy cases.
Τίτλος | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) complications encountered in forensic autopsy cases. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2019 |
Authors | Deliliga, A., Chatzinikolaou F., Koutsoukis D., Chrysovergis I., & Voultsos P. |
Journal | BMC Emerg Med |
Volume | 19 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 23 |
Date Published | 2019 02 28 |
ISSN | 1471-227X |
Λέξεις κλειδιά | Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Autopsy, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Female, Forensic Medicine, Greece, Health Personnel, Humans, Logistic Models, Male, Middle Aged, Retrospective Studies, Rib Fractures, Severity of Illness Index, Sternum, Young Adult |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) provides a significant increase in survival rate, even if performed by bystanders. However, bystanders may refrain from performing CPR for fear of eventual malpractice litigation. Currently lack Guidelines specifying whether a particular CPR-related complication is in all likelihood unavoidable or not. To fulfill this gap a great number of studies is required to be published in the most relevant leading academic literature. This paper aims at making a contribution to addressing such a challenge.METHODS: A retrospective observational study based on forensic autopsy material aiming at recording injuries resulting from the application of CPR. The severity of injuries was forensically evaluated.RESULTS: Out of 88 cases autopsied, only 26.7% had rib fractures (only 20% of which were located in the 6 lower ribs), 17.4% had sternal fractures (85.7% of which were detected in the body of the sternum and 14.3% in the manubrium). The ratio of sternal fractures to rib fractures is similar to the ratio cited in other studies reported in the literature (2:3, approximately). The number of fractures was 7.86 (4.11 on the right side and 4.75 on the left side). 16% of the cases were found to be mild, 48% were moderate, and 35% of the cases were severe. When a physician was present, a (not statistically significant) trend towards more severe complications was found.CONCLUSION: The findings are in accordance with other similar studies reported in the literature referring to the classic external CPR. This study offers a proposal aiming at making a contribution to develop Guidelines specifying whether a particular CPR-related complication is in all likelihood unavoidable or not. |
DOI | 10.1186/s12873-019-0234-5 |
Alternate Journal | BMC Emerg Med |
PubMed ID | 30819095 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC6396442 |