Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39897062›Full record

ArticleResuscitation plus2025

Comparing sternal versus left-sided chest compressions for thoracoabdonimal injuries and compression biomechanics: A clinical-grade cadaver study.

J Gould, R A Marshall, D French, M Dyer-Heynen, P Olszynski

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Resuscitation plus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

J GouldDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
R A MarshallFaculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada.
D FrenchDepartment of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
M Dyer-HeynenDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
P OlszynskiDepartment of Emergency Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The lower half of the sternum is currently recommended as the area of compression (AOC) in CPR. Compressions over this area often result in outflow obstruction and inadequate compression of the left ventricle. Alternative left-sided chest compressions that target the left ventricle may improve cardiac arrest outcomes. However, little is known about the risks of thoracoabdominal injuries or the biomechanics of left-sided compressions. Methods: The objective of this study was to examine the thoracoabdominal injury patterns and compression biomechanics during standard (control) and left-sided (experimental; off sternum, patient left, 6th rib) chest compressions. N = 6 clinical-grade cadavers (control n = 2; experimental n = 4) underwent six 2-minute rounds of chest compressions with intermittent fluoroscopy. Chest compression depth, recoil, and rate were standardized using compression feedback devices. Post-CPR dissection was used to examine for thoracoabdominal injuries. Results: Standard compressions resulted in rib fractures (n = 1 [50%]). Left-sided compressions resulted in rib fractures (n = 4 [100%]), flail chest segments (n = 3 [75%]), and internal thoracic artery injury (n = 1 [25%]). No abdominal organ injuries were identified in either group (N = 6 [0%]). During compression, each condition yielded a different pattern of chest wall deformity (standard - regular trapezoid [midline, comparable left-right sides, flat top, and bottom]; left-sided - irregular trapezium [left-sided, unequal sides, leftward sloped top]). Conclusion: Experimental left-sided compressions consistently produced rib fractures and flail chest segments. Findings should be interpreted with caution due to the limited sample size. Further studies investigating the biomechanics and outcomes of left sided chest compressions are warranted.

Indexed as

Area of CompressionBasic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)BiomechanicsCadaversCardiac arrestCardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)Chest compressionsInjuriesLandmarks

Identifiers

PMID39897062
PMCPMC11786900

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.