Complications of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in non-traumatic cases and factors affecting complications

Abstract

In this study, bodily injuries related to chest compression were examined in non-traumatic death cases that underwent autopsy. This study aimed to evaluate factors that can affect these injuries. Data were collected retrospectively, and injuries related to chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation were determined over a 10-year period. Age, gender and cause of death were determined, and when cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed, cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration, intubation and the injury that occurred due to chest compression were also determined. The study included data from 203 cases. The most frequent injuries were a single fracture in the left ribs (19.7%). Only the duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was determined to be associated with injuries. Ventricle rupture in 1 case and liver laceration in 2 cases were the most significant injuries. It has been shown that during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, severe injuries can occur due to thoracic compression. Only a positive correlation with the duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was found in our study.

Keywords

• Forensic science
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Chest compression
• Injury
• Heart massage
• Autopsy