Simulation-based Comparative Study on Efficiency of Ventilation During Paediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Health Care Professionals and Lay Rescuers

There is a lack of knowledge on the efficiency of ventilation during simulated and real cardiopulmonary resuscitation of children and infants. The ventilations should be an integral part of pediatric resuscitation as recommended by European Resuscitation Council (ERC) because the respiratory and other secondary causes with oxygen depletion are common causes of cardiac arrest in children. However, the effectiveness and quality of ventilation are rarely studied and ERC guidelines to start ventilation with 5 initial breaths in pediatric CPR are based on the experts´ opinion. This study evaluates ventilation efficiency during simulated pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by 2 different groups of potential rescuers - physicians, nurses- representing the advanced life support and lay rescuers- representing the basic life support algorithm. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the number of effective breaths (define as a visible chest rise) during 5 initial breaths attempts of simulated pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Secondary outcomes include subanalysis of the effectiveness of two initial breaths attempts, defined as a visible chest rise, time to first effective breath, breath volume delivered during 5 initial breaths, and breaths during CPR. The appropriate volume would be considered 6-10 mL/kg (i.e. 30 - 50 mL in infant and 125- 250 mL in the child). The data will be obtained before and after standardized simulation training in both groups. For lay rescuers, the dispatcher-assisted CPR will be simulated. For the health care professionals, basic equipment will be available and expected to be used (correct size mask and bag-mask ventilation).