Extensive injury after use of a mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation device

J. Wind*, S.C. Bekkers, L.J. van Hooren, L.W. van Heurn

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    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.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1017.e1-2
    JournalAmerican Journal of Emergency Medicine
    Volume27
    Issue number8
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2009

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