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To compare injuries from manual versus mechanical chest compressions, researchers in Sweden conducted a prospective multicenter study of 222 adults who had autopsies after unsuccessful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) following nontraumatic cardiac arrest.
Overall, 76% of 83 patients who received manual compressions versus 91% of 139 who received mechanical compressions (with the LUCAS device) had CPR-related injuries. Rib fractures were more common after mechanical CPR (79% vs. 65%); most patients in both groups had multiple rib fractures. The incidence of sternal fractures was about 55% in each of the two groups. Older patients were more likely to have injuries than younger patients (mean age, 69 vs. 56 years). All of the 46 patients wi…