Extensive injury after use of a mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation device.
We report a case of a 49-year-old woman with a ruptured liver and spleen found at autopsy, which may have been related to the use of a mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device (AutoPulse, ZOLL Medical Corporation, Chelmsford, Mass). She was admitted because of an out-of-hospital resuscitation, and under the suspicion of a pulmonary embolism, a thrombolytic agent was administered. Despite prolonged continuation of mechanical CPR, she died of persistent asystole. The evidence for improved outcomes after the use of a mechanical CPR device during resuscitation is still scarce. To prevent the unique complications reported here, regular checking of proper position of the chest band during resuscitation is advised.
Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. t.wind@mumc.nl
J
J
Wind
S C A M
SC
Bekkers
L J H
LJ
van Hooren
L W E
LW
van Heurn
D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000209:etiology*