Annals of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of chest compressions between mechanical and manual CPR by monitoring end-tidal PCO2 during human cardiac arrest.
To compare the use of mechanical and manual chest compressions during cardiac arrest based on continuous monitoring of end-tidal PCO2 (PETCO2). ⋯ This study suggests that cardiac output produced with mechanical chest compressions is greater than that produced with manual compressions as demonstrated by the significantly higher PETCO2 levels during mechanical CPR. Reasons for this are unclear. In addition, monitoring of PETCO2 may help optimize chest compressions during CPR.