Unexpected CPR Interruptions with Mechanical Compression Devices

High-quality uninterrupted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is essential to survival in cardiac arrest. Mechanical compression devices are designed to provide consistent, high-quality CPR, but have not yet been shown to improve outcomes. These authors examined video recordings from 86 attempted cardiac arrest resuscitations performed over 18 months at their emergency department to determine the frequency of CPR interruptions attributable to the use of a mechanical compression device.

The institution used the LUCAS™ 2 mechanical compression device and had several years' experience with it. Device failures were defined as instances when the device did not start or spontaneously stopped for 5 or more seconds; the device spontaneously detache…