Impact of the use of an automated chest-compression device on airway management during out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation: the PLAINT study.

Introduction: Automated chest-compression devices (ACCDs) have recently been proposed in the management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR). During CPR, it is still unknown whether the ACCD or intubation is to be first implemented. Knowing the impact of an ACCD on intubation conditions could strongly contribute to determine the best sequence.

Out-of-hospital use of an automated chest compression device: facilitating access to extracorporeal life support or non-heart-beating organ procurement.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the ease-of-use, safety, and usefulness of an automated external chest compression device for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Methods: Adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) were included prospectively. The emergency medical services (EMS) in a large suburb northeast of Paris (France) recorded data for standard criteria for EMS care for CA and specific criteria on device use-application time, ease of application and use (visual analog scale score: 0, impossible; 5, very easy), technical incidents, and clinical complications.