title: Mechanical versus manual chest compression CPR under ground ambulance transport conditions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Novel mechanical chest compression devices offer the possibility to transport cardiac arrest patients with ongoing CPR and might shorten significantly the time delay to post-resuscitation care.
  
  
  METHODS
  We simulated an eight-minute cardiac resuscitation situation during ambulance transport using CPR training manikins. We compared teams consisting of two experienced resuscitators with the performance of a mechanical chest compression device (LUCAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  CPR-performance by two experienced resuscitators demonstrated ambivalent results. Whereas mean compression rate was within the recommended range (103/min, 95% CI: 93-113/min), mean compression depth was closely below the actually recommended compression depth of >5 cm (49.7 mm, 95% CI: 46.1-53.3mm). Nevertheless, only a mean of two thirds (67%) of all compressions were classified as manually correct (defined as sternal compression depth >5 cm). In contrast, the LUCAS device showed a constant and reliable CPR performance (99.96% correctly applied chest compressions correctly applied within the device programmed parameters, P = 0.0162) with almost no variance between the different sequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LUCAS CPR device represents a reliable alternative to manual CPR in a moving ambulance vehicle during emergency evacuation. Furthermore, it needs less human resources and is safer for the EMS personnel.
authors: Hirslanden Accident and Emergency Center Zürich, Switzerland.
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Fox
authors: René
authors: R
authors: Fiechter
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Gerstl
authors: Alfons
authors: A
authors: Url
authors: Heinz
authors: H
authors: Wagner
authors: Thomas F
authors: TF
authors: Lüscher
authors: Urs
authors: U
authors: Eriksson
authors: Christophe A
authors: CA
authors: Wyss
mesh_terms: D000552:Ambulances; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy; D006336:Heart Massage / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008348:Manikins