Heart injuries related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a risk often overlooked

Background: Current studies focus primarily on skeletal injuries following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Few studies report on intrathoracic injuries (ITI) and none, to our knowledge, focus exclusively on cardiovascular injuries related to cardiac massage. This study was based on autopsy findings and assessed the incidence of non-skeletal CPR related injuries related to chest compression. Methods: This was a retrospective forensic autopsy cohort study conducted in a single institution after resuscitation. Pathologists recorded autopsy data using standardized protocol contained information from external and internal examination of the body. Results: Thirty-eight autopsy reports (21 males and 17 females), post- CPR-failure were studied. Heart lesions were reported in 19 patients (group A). The average age was 65.7 years (69.05 group A and 66.5 group B). Median weight was 75.2 Kg and was significantly higher in group B (p = 0.01). Pericardial lesions were identified in 6 patients in group A and 2 in group B (p = 0.2 ns). No significant difference was observed among the two groups (Table 4) with the exception of the average number of rib fractures which was higher in group A (p = 0.04). Autopsy findings revealed heart injuries in 50% of patients with a high prevalence (52.6%) of left ventricle injuries. Conclusion: Cardiac lesions represent frequent and serious complications of unsuccessful CPR. Correct performance of chest compressions according to guidelines is the best way to avoid these complications.