What Are the Potential Complications of Chest Compression for Cardiac Resuscitation?

Common complications of chest compressions include rib fractures, cardiac tamponade, pneumothorax, hemothorax, pericardial effusion, fat embolism, lung contusion, and even liver and spleen tears in some patients. These phenomena are caused by damage from external forces. Therefore, when performing chest compressions, it is important to follow the correct operating procedures to avoid causing complications and injuries to patients.

The correct pressing position is the middle and lower 1/3 of the sternum. The specific location method is that the rescuer slides the left index finger and middle finger along the costal arch to the intersection of the two costal arches, which is the lower sternal notch. Then, place the index finger and middle finger horizontally above the lower sternal notch, and the central part of the sternum above the index finger is the pressing area. Place the palm of the other hand next to the index finger on the patient's sternum, remove the positioning hand, overlap the palm on the back of the other hand, and lift the fingers off the chest wall. Alternatively, you can cross the fingers of both hands to lift the fingers.

The rescuer should straighten both elbow joints and position both shoulders directly above the patient's sternum with the shoulders and hands vertically aligned for downward pressure. The depth of compression should be 5-6 centimeters, and the compression frequency should be 100-120 times per minute. The compression and relaxation times should be roughly equal. When performing closed-chest compressions on children, the compression site and frequency are the same as for adults, but the compression depth is one-third of the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest, approximately 4-5 centimeters. The movements should be steady and not too forceful.

If the subject of chest compressions is an infant, the operation is somewhat different from that for adults and children. The compression site for infants is located one finger width below the intersection of the line connecting the two nipples on the sternum and the midline of the sternum. The rescuer should use the middle and ring fingers for compression, without applying excessive force.