title: Chest wall injuries following cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
abstract: The forensic records were reviewed of 1823 deaths referred to Edinburgh City Mortuary for autopsy over a 15-month period, 2000-2001; 499 cases (343 males, 156 females) that received CPR prior to death were studied. Rib fractures were found in 29%, sternal fracture in 14%, and 11% of cases showed external chest wall bruising or abrasion. More females sustained rib fractures than males (37% versus 26%; P <0.05). There was no significant gender difference for sternal fracture (females 17%, males 12%; P=0.051). The incidence of rib fractures increased with age (P <0.001). There was no significant difference in the number of left or right ribs fractured (P=0.631). This study incorporates all cases of in and out-of-hospital CPR and does not discriminate for the CPR provider or technique employed, therefore, providing a current and representative overview of the incidence of rib and sternal fractures in non-survivors of CPR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Level 2, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH164SA, UK. cathblakinshetland@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Catherine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Busuttil
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000293:injuries*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology