Intra-Arrest-Ventilation - a Prospective Randomized Trial in Human Cadavers

The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) recommend uninterrupted chest compressions and continuous ventilation as soon as a patient is endotracheally intubated or a supraglottic airway (SGA) is positioned.

Recently, SGAs have been adopted by emergency medical services worldwide as the primary tool for airway management during CPR. SGAs offer limited protection against aspiration compared to endotracheal intubation (ETI) and may increase the risk of aspiration. A new ventilation mode (Chest Compression Synchronized Ventilation [CCSV]) is now available for resuscitation with uninterrupted chest compressions.

The study investigates the influence of non-synchronized bag-device-ventilation, intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV), as recommended in the current resuscitation guidelines of the ERC (Vt = 5-6 mL/kg bw, AF = 10 min-1) and CCSV (pInsp = 40 mbar; RR = chest compression rate) with regard to achieving a sufficient tidal volume and the tightness of various SGA (laryngeal mask, iGel, laryngeal tube) and endotracheal intubation.

Gender, age, height and weight are documented (external post-mortem examination). The respective body donor is randomly assigned to a group. The grouping determines the order in which the means of airway management (SGA, ETI) are used.

Initial airway management is performed with an ETI with blockage of 30 mmH2O). The body donor is then bronchoscoped. A gastric tube is placed and the pressure probe to be used is calibrated if necessary. Positive pressure ventilation (pInsp = 40 mbar, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) = 12 mbar, frequency = 10 min-1) is performed for 2 minutes to recruit the lungs. Vt is documented.