CPR by medics: Continuous pumping not a good idea

Washington, November 11: Continuous chest compressions during cardio-pulmory resuscitation (CPR) by emergency medical responders do not offer survival advantages when compared to interrupting manual chest pumping to perform rescue breathing, says a study. CPR is the effort to restore a pulse and respiration in people whose heartbeat and breathing have suddenly ceased.

The study found that patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who received continuous compressions were less likely to survive long enough to be transported or admitted to a hospital. They also had fewer days alive and out of hospital during the first month after their cardiac arrest. “Both groups did well. But it appears that patients treated by EMS providers who interrupted chest compressions to deliver rescue breathing appear to survive a bit more often,” said project leader Graham Nichol from University of Washington.  “The results of this study may well change emergency medical services CPR practice,” he added. From earlier studies, emergency medical services staff and researchers were concerned that CPR methods that alterte chest pumps with a few lung inflations might reduce blood flow and possible survival. (ians)