Abstract
Background
Although high-quality chest compressions are an essential, lifesaving component of
cardiopulmonary resuscitation, injuries are common with both manual and mechanical
chest compressions.
Case Report
We discuss the case of a 77-year-old woman who sustained thoracic vertebral fractures
after cardiopulmonary resuscitation involving both manual and mechanical chest compressions.
Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?
Routine post-cardiac arrest care should include evaluation for chest compression-related
injury. If a patient has back pain, focal vertebral tenderness, or paraplegia after
chest compressions, imaging to evaluate for vertebral fracture should be performed.
If unable to assess for back pain or tenderness, consider imaging to evaluate for
vertebral fracture in patients with kyphosis or osteopenia, as these patients are
at higher risk for chest compression vertebral injury.
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 01, 2022
Accepted:
April 23,
2022
Received in revised form:
April 13,
2022
Received:
January 18,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.
