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A randomized trial on elderly laypersons' CPR performance in a realistic cardiac arrest simulation
Author(s) -
NESET A.,
BIRKENES T. S.,
FURUNES T.,
MYKLEBUST HE.,
MYKLETUN R. J.,
ODEGAARD S.,
OLASVEENGEN T. M.,
KRAMERJOHANSEN J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2011.02566.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiopulmonary resuscitation , heart rate , ventilation (architecture) , randomized controlled trial , resuscitation , anesthesia , blood pressure , mechanical engineering , engineering
Background Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation ( CPR ) is important for survival after cardiac arrest. We hypothesized that elderly laypersons would perform CPR poorer in a realistic cardiac arrest simulation, compared to a traditional test. Methods Sixty‐four lay rescuers aged 50–75 were randomized to realistic or traditional test, both with ten minutes of telephone assisted CPR . Realistic simulation started suddenly without warning, leaving the test subject alone in a confined and noisy apartment. Traditional test was conducted in a spacious and calm classroom with a researcher present. CPR performance was recorded with a manikin with human like chest properties. Heart rate and self‐reported exhaustion were registered. Results CPR quality was not different in the two groups: compression depth, 43 mm ± 7 versus 43 ± 4, P = 0.72; compressions rate, 97 min −1 ± 11 versus 93 ± 15, P = 0.26; ventilation rate, 2.4 min −1 ± 1.7 versus 2.8 ± 1.1, P = 0.35; and hands‐off time 273 s ± 50 versus 270 ± 66, P = 0.82; in realistic ( n = 31) and traditional ( n = 33) groups, respectively. No fatigue was evident in the repeated measures analysis of variance. Work load was not different between the groups; attained percentage of age predicted maximum heart rate, 73% ± 9 and 76 ± 11, P = 0.37, reported exhaustion 43 ± 21 (scale: 0 to 100) and 37 ± 19, P = 0.24. Conclusions Elderly lay people are capable of performing chest compressions with acceptable quality for ten minutes in a realistic cardiac arrest simulation. Ventilation quality and hands‐off time were not adequate in either group.