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.
Wind
J
J
Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. t.wind@mumc.nl
Bekkers
S C A M
SC
van Hooren
L J H
LJ
van Heurn
L W E
LW
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*