title: New method of chest compression for infants in a single rescuer situation: thumb-index finger technique.
abstract: We introduce a new method of external chest compression (ECC), an essential part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, using a thumb and index finger method (TIFM) on infants, and compares, this with two standard methods of the two finger method (TFM) and the two-thumb encircling hands method (TTEM). Sixty trained PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) providers were randomly assigned into three groups and provided one-rescuer ECC for a period of five continuous minutes. Results without coaching or feedback were recorded on a recording CPR simulator (Laerdal, Inc). ECC was performed according to the BLS recommendations of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). The quality of ECC in the TFM group deviated considerably from guideline recommendations. The same parameters in the TTEM and new TIFM groups during this study were in accordance with the parameters recommended by the guidelines. Thus, our new TIFM technique of chest compression, in infants was shown to be better than the currently TFM, especially for achieving adequate compression depth and avoiding fatigue, and is equally as effective as the TTEM. We propose this new method (TIFM) should be considered as the method of choice in single rescuer situations.
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Medical & Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Bakhtiyar Zeynalov
authors.initials: BZ
authors.lastname: Fakhraddin
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Sasa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kurosawa
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Katsuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyasaka
authors.forename: Shuki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mizutani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006336:Heart Massage / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors