Rib fractures and other injuries after cardiopulmonary resuscitation for non-traumatic cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose This study aims to ascertain the prevalence of rib fractures and other injuries resulting from CPR and to compare manual with mechanically assisted CPR. An additional aim was to summarize the literature on surgical treatment for rib fractures following CPR. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Embase, Medline Ovid, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Review methods The databases were searched to identify studies reporting on CPR-related injuries in patients who underwent chest compressions for a non-traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest. Subgroup analysis was conducted to compare the prevalence of CPR-related injuries in manual versus mechanically assisted chest compressions. Studies reporting on surgery for CPR-related rib fractures were also reviewed and summarized. Results Seventy-four studies reporting CPR-related injuries were included encompassing a total of 16,629 patients. Any CPR-related injury was documented in 60% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 49–71) patients. Rib fractures emerged as the most common injury, with a pooled prevalence of 55% (95% CI 48–62). Mechanically assisted CPR, when compared to manual CPR, was associated with a higher risk ratio for CPR-related injuries of 1.36 (95% CI 1.17–1.59). Eight studies provided information on surgical stabilization of CPR-related rib fractures. The primary indication for surgery was the inability to wean from mechanical ventilation in the presence of multiple rib fractures. Conclusion Rib fractures and other injuries frequently occur in patients who undergo CPR after a non-traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest, especially when mechanical CPR is administered. Surgical stabilization of CPR-related rib fractures remains relatively uncommon. Level of evidence Level III, systematic review and meta-analysis.