A Turbine-Driven Ventilator Improves Adherence to Advanced Cardiac Life Support Guidelines During a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Simulation

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that increased breathing frequency during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is inversely correlated with systolic blood pressure. Rescuers often hyperventilate during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Current American Heart Association advanced cardiac life support recommends a ventilation rate of 8 –10 breaths/min. We hypothesized that a small, turbine-driven ventilator would allow rescuers to adhere more closely to advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) guidelines.

METHODS: Twenty-four ACLS-certified health-care professionals were paired into groups of 2. Each team performed 4 randomized rounds of 2-min cycles of CPR on an intubated mannikin, with individuals altering between compressions and breaths. Two rounds of CPR were performed with a self-inflating bag, and 2 rounds were with the ventilator. The ventilator was set to deliver 8 breaths/min, pressure limit 22 cm H₂O. Frequency, tidal volume (V_T), peak inspiratory pressure, and compression interruptions (hands-off time) were recorded. Data were analyzed with a linear mixed model and Welch 2-sample t test.

RESULTS: The median (interquartile range [IQR]) frequency with the ventilator was 7.98 (7.98 –7.99) breaths/min. Median (IQR) frequency with the self-inflating bag was 9.5 (8.2–10.7) breaths/min. Median (IQR) ventilator V_T was 0.5 (0.5– 0.5) L. Median (IQR) self-inflating bag V_T was 0.6 (0.5– 0.7) L. Median (IQR) ventilator peak inspiratory pressure was 22 (22–22) cm H₂O. Median (IQR) self-inflating bag peak inspiratory pressure was 30 (27–35) cm H₂O. Mean ± SD hands-off times for ventilator and self-inflating bag were 5.25 ± 2.11 and 6.41 ± 1.45 s, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: When compared with a ventilator, volunteers ventilated with a self-inflating bag within ACLS guidelines. However, volunteers ventilated with increased variation, at higher V_T levels, and at higher peak pressures with the self-inflating bag. Hands-off time was also significantly lower with the ventilator.