Abstract
We evaluated the efficacy of chest compression ventilation (CCV) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and determined whether it could be substituted for mouth-to-mouth ventilation (MMV). Anesthetized and endotracheally intubated patients were ventilated with CCV, with the anesthesiologist squeezing the chest bilaterally with both hands. The ventilation volume (VV) was measured with a respiratory monitor attached to the proximal end of the endotracheal tube. We first studied the influence of gender, age, and degree of obesity for VV by using a multiple regression analysis (n=61). We then measured VV in CCV and in CCV+simultaneous pressure on the epigastrium (n=16), and when lifting the patient's pelvis in a prone position (n=5). VV was 165±57ml (mean±SD) in the first study. VV was influenced by both age and the degree of obesity but not gender. VV in young people was greater than that in older people, and VV in obesity was less than that in patients of normal weight. VV in CCV was 106ml, VV in CCV+simultaneous pressure on the epigastrium 109ml, and VV at lifting the patient's pelvis in a prone position 210ml. We found that CCV cannot be substituted for MMV because VV by CCV is under 200ml, but should be attempted in young patients who are not obese.
