Analysis of Chest-Compression Depth and Full Recoil in Two Infant Chest-Compression Techniques Performed by a Single Rescuer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Main Authors: Chun-Yu Chang, Po-Chen Lin, Yung-Jiun Chien, Chien-Sheng Chen, Meng-Yu Wu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-06-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: cardiopulmonary resuscitation; two fingers; two thumbs; infant; chest compression
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/11/4018

Pediatric cardiac arrest is associated with high mortality and permanent neurological injury. We aimed to compare the effects of the two-thumb (TT) and two-finger (TF) techniques in infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by a single rescuer.<b> </b>We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for randomized control trials published before December 2019. Studies comparing the TT and TF techniques in infant CPR were included for meta-analysis. Relevant information was extracted for methodological assessment. Twelve studies were included. The TT technique was associated with deeper chest-compression depth (mean difference: 4.71 mm; 95% confidence interval: 3.61 to 5.81; <i>p</i> < 0.001) compared with the TF technique. The TF technique was better in terms of the proportion of complete chest recoil (mean difference: −11.73%; 95% confidence interval: −20.29 to −3.17; <i>p</i> = 0.007). CPR was performed on a manikin model, and the application of the results to real human beings may be limited.<b> </b>The TT technique was superior to the TF technique in terms of chest-compression depth, but with inferior chest full recoil. Future investigations should focus on modifying the conventional TT technique to generate greater compression depth and achieve complete chest recoil.