Are chest compressions safe for the patient reconstructed with sternal plates? Evaluating the safety of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a human cadaveric model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Plate and screw fixation is a recent addition to the sternal wound treatment armamentarium. Patients undergoing cardiac and major vascular surgery have a higher risk of postoperative arrest than other elective patients. Those who und...

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Main Authors: McKay Douglas R, Fawzy Hosam F, McKay Kathryn M, Nitsch Romy, Mahoney James L
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2010-08-01
Series:Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Online Access:http://www.cardiothoracicsurgery.org/content/5/1/64
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author McKay Douglas R
Fawzy Hosam F
McKay Kathryn M
Nitsch Romy
Mahoney James L
author_facet McKay Douglas R
Fawzy Hosam F
McKay Kathryn M
Nitsch Romy
Mahoney James L
author_sort McKay Douglas R
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Plate and screw fixation is a recent addition to the sternal wound treatment armamentarium. Patients undergoing cardiac and major vascular surgery have a higher risk of postoperative arrest than other elective patients. Those who undergo sternotomy for either cardiac or major vascular procedures are at a higher risk of postoperative arrest. Sternal plate design allows quick access to the mediastinum facilitating open cardiac massage, but chest compressions are the mainstay of re-establishing cardiac output in the event of arrest. The response of sternal plates and the chest wall to compressions when plated has not been studied. The safety of performing this maneuver is unknown. This study intends to demonstrate compressions are safe after sternal plating.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigated the effect of chest compressions on the plated sternum using a human cadaveric model. Cadavers were plated, an arrest was simulated, and an experienced physician performed a simulated resuscitation. Intrathoracic pressure was monitored throughout to ensure the plates encountered an appropriate degree of force. The hardware and viscera were evaluated for failure and trauma respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No hardware failure or obvious visceral trauma was observed. Rib fractures beyond the boundaries of the plates were noted but the incidence was comparable to control and to the fracture incidence after resuscitation previously cited in the literature.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>From this work we believe chest compressions are safe for the patient with sternal plates when proper plating technique is used. We advocate the use of this life-saving maneuver as part of an ACLS resuscitation in the event of an arrest for rapidly re-establishing circulation.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-b49c9649d31749989cad49b51130d69a2022-12-22T02:59:27ZengBMCJournal of Cardiothoracic Surgery1749-80902010-08-01516410.1186/1749-8090-5-64Are chest compressions safe for the patient reconstructed with sternal plates? Evaluating the safety of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a human cadaveric modelMcKay Douglas RFawzy Hosam FMcKay Kathryn MNitsch RomyMahoney James L<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Plate and screw fixation is a recent addition to the sternal wound treatment armamentarium. Patients undergoing cardiac and major vascular surgery have a higher risk of postoperative arrest than other elective patients. Those who undergo sternotomy for either cardiac or major vascular procedures are at a higher risk of postoperative arrest. Sternal plate design allows quick access to the mediastinum facilitating open cardiac massage, but chest compressions are the mainstay of re-establishing cardiac output in the event of arrest. The response of sternal plates and the chest wall to compressions when plated has not been studied. The safety of performing this maneuver is unknown. This study intends to demonstrate compressions are safe after sternal plating.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigated the effect of chest compressions on the plated sternum using a human cadaveric model. Cadavers were plated, an arrest was simulated, and an experienced physician performed a simulated resuscitation. Intrathoracic pressure was monitored throughout to ensure the plates encountered an appropriate degree of force. The hardware and viscera were evaluated for failure and trauma respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No hardware failure or obvious visceral trauma was observed. Rib fractures beyond the boundaries of the plates were noted but the incidence was comparable to control and to the fracture incidence after resuscitation previously cited in the literature.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>From this work we believe chest compressions are safe for the patient with sternal plates when proper plating technique is used. We advocate the use of this life-saving maneuver as part of an ACLS resuscitation in the event of an arrest for rapidly re-establishing circulation.</p>http://www.cardiothoracicsurgery.org/content/5/1/64
spellingShingle McKay Douglas R
Fawzy Hosam F
McKay Kathryn M
Nitsch Romy
Mahoney James L
Are chest compressions safe for the patient reconstructed with sternal plates? Evaluating the safety of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a human cadaveric model
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery
title Are chest compressions safe for the patient reconstructed with sternal plates? Evaluating the safety of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a human cadaveric model
title_full Are chest compressions safe for the patient reconstructed with sternal plates? Evaluating the safety of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a human cadaveric model
title_fullStr Are chest compressions safe for the patient reconstructed with sternal plates? Evaluating the safety of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a human cadaveric model
title_full_unstemmed Are chest compressions safe for the patient reconstructed with sternal plates? Evaluating the safety of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a human cadaveric model
title_short Are chest compressions safe for the patient reconstructed with sternal plates? Evaluating the safety of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a human cadaveric model
title_sort are chest compressions safe for the patient reconstructed with sternal plates evaluating the safety of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a human cadaveric model
url http://www.cardiothoracicsurgery.org/content/5/1/64
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