Clinical paperComparison of complications secondary to cardiopulmonary resuscitation between out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and in-hospital cardiac arrest

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess whether there was a significant difference in the complications of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) between out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) survivors using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).Subjects and methodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of prospective registry data. We enrolled both OHCA and IHCA patients who underwent successful CPR. We classified chest injuries secondary to chest compression into rib fractures, sternum fractures, and uncommon complications such as lung contusions and extrathoracic complications. We compared these complications according to CPR locations. We also analysed risk factors for CPR complications using multiple regression analysis and classification and regression tree analysis.ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 148 patients were included in the primary analysis. Rib fractures were detected more in OHCA survivors than in IHCA survivors (74 patients (83.2%) vs. 37 patients (62.7%), p = 0.05), and frequency of multiple rib fractures was higher in OHCA survivors than IHCA survivors (69 patients (77.5%) vs. 34 patients (57.6%), p = 0.01). Although other complications were not significantly different between the groups, there was a trend for OHCA survivors to sustain more serious and direct high-energy related complications. Older age, longer CPR, and OHCA were significantly associated with incidence of rib fractures, multiple rib fractures, and number of rib fractures.ConclusionsRib fractures were more likely to occur in OHCA survivors, and serious complications tended to occur more often in OHCA compared to IHCA survivors.