Does Point-of-Care Ultrasound Have an Effect on Chest Compression Interruptions?

This study reports the length of chest compression interruptions that occurred when point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS) was performed to detect cardiac motion during cardiac arrest resuscitation. Over a period of six months, 24 of the 84 arrests resuscitated in the ED were video recorded. The length of compression interruptions was compared when POCUS was or wasn’t performed. The average interruption was 17 seconds when POCUS was performed, vs. 11 seconds when it wasn’t. POCUS performed by a fellow trained in ultrasound resulted in compression interruptions that were, on average, 4.1 seconds shorter than those performed by non-trained fellows. Interruptions were 6.1 seconds longer when POCUS was performed by the physician leading the resuscitation. Medic Wesley Comments Ultrasound during cardiac arrest sounds like a great idea in a controlled hospital setting with personnel specifically trained to provide the procedure.POCUS has also become a valuable tool in the trauma setting. Certainly, it can help to locate critical injuries requiring immediate attention. However, the idea that it could or might be added to the prehospital protocol for patients in pulseless electrical activity (PEA) just isn’t plausible with current staffing, training and equipment budgets. Would the results actually be timely enough to limit compression pauses to acceptable gaps? I don’t think so.
Source: JEMS Patient Care - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Patient Care Columns Source Type: news