Mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation in microgravity and hypergravity conditions: A manikin study during parabolic flight

• Published in: The American journal of emergency medicine 2022-03, Vol.53, p.54-58
• Main Authors: Forti, Alessandro, van Veelen, Michiel Jan, Scquizzato, Tommaso, Dal Cappello, Tomas, Palma, Martin, Strapazzon, Giacomo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aircraft; Basic life support; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - methods; Chest; Chest compression; Compression; CPR; Emergency medical care; Flight; Humans; Hypergravity; Manikins; Mechanical devices; Microgravity; Quality standards; Resuscitation; Software; Space; Space exploration; Space Flight; Statistical analysis; Tourism; Weightlessness
• ISSN: 0735-6757; 1532-8171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.12.056

Space travel is expected to grow in the near future, which could lead to a higher burden of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in astronauts. Current methods to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in microgravity perform below earth-based standards in terms of depth achieved and the ability to sustain chest compressions (CC). We hypothesised that an automated chest compression device (ACCD) delivers high-quality CC during simulated micro- and hypergravity conditions. Data on CC depth, rate, release and position utilising an ACCD were collected continuously during a parabolic flight with alternating conditions of normogravity (1 G), hypergravity (1.8 G) and microgravity (0 G), performed on a training manikin fixed in place. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Withney U test were used for comparison purpose. Mechanical CC was performed continuously during the flight; no missed compressions or pauses were recorded. Mean depth of CC showed minimal but statistically significant variations in compression depth during the different phases of the parabolic flight (microgravity 49.9 ± 0.7, normogravity 49.9 ± 0.5 and hypergravity 50.1 ± 0.6 mm, p