If you find yourself having to resuscitate someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest you should bear in mind that chest compressions are more important for the patient than mouth-to-mouth, say researchers from Surugadai Nihon University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. According to this latest study, the patient has a much greater chance of recovering without brain damage if you follow this advice.
You have to stop chest pressing when you give mouth-to-mouth – this stops the vital flow of blood (and oxygen) to the heart and brain.
You can read about this new study in The Lancet.
To a certain extent, this study confirms advice given by the American Heart Association (AHA). AHA guidelines say that you should aim for 30 chest presses per two breaths, rather than the traditional 15.
In this new study, the researchers looked at over 4,000 patients who had had cardiac arrest. 439 of them received help from bystanders only in the form of chest compressions, while 712 were given the traditional combination of mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions.
They found that:
— All attempts at CPR by bystanders helped increase the patients’ chances of survival
— 22% of patients who just received chest compressions, no mouth-to-mouth, maintained good neurological function
— 10% of those who received both mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions maintained good neurological function
The researchers stressed that all patients given the combination CPR by bystanders received the conventional 15 presses per two breaths – not 30 presses per two breaths, which the AHA recommends.
The AHA says it still stands by its 30 presses per two breaths – adding that if you feel unable to give mouth-to-mouth, you should still try for compression only.
“Resuscitation practices need to be revised”
The Lancet, Volume 369, Number 9565, 17 March 2007
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today