During CPR, it is possible to crush a patient's ribs. How can I avoid squeezing my ribs? Depending on the patient's age, gender, weight and physical condition, the following should be noted: 1. Pressure position: In the lower part of the sternum, place the root of the palm of the hand at the midpoint of a straight line between the patient's two nipples, not from left to right. If it is left or right, it will lead to the separation of the sternum and the rib cartilage, or even the fracture of the ribs, which in turn will lead to the rupture of the liver and spleen.
2. Depth of compression: The 5-6cm required by this specification is for reference only, and the depth of compression should be considered according to the thickness of the patient's chest wall, chest elasticity, and other influencing factors. If the depth of compression is not enough, it may lead to insufficient cardiac output, and if the depth of compression is too deep, it may also lead to separation of the sternum and rib cartilage, or even fracture. It is recommended that the general depth of depression is 1/3 of the thickness of the chest wall, and it is best to touch the carotid pulse.
3. Do not use explosive force, that is, do not hit the chest, or do not press and release. Otherwise, even if the press position and press depth are correct, it will inevitably lead to rib fracture. Rib fractures are one of the complications of extrathoracic cardiac compression. Rib fractures can further lead to cardiac compression, pneumothorax, hemothorax, pulmonary contusion, liver and spleen rupture, and fat embolism.4. Each chest compression manually squeezes the blood out of the heart. The chest then has to be made to spring back to its original shape before the blood can be sucked into the heart again.?
As long as we follow the correct method and pay attention to the above steps, we can avoid and minimize these complications. As for the rib extrusion, it is true that the internal organs will be damaged, but compared with life, the ribs can be connected. The premise of our resuscitation is to try to avoid secondary injuries to the patient, not absolutely avoid, which is the key. In particular, the elderly or those with osteoporosis due to medication or calcium deficiency are prone to rib or even sternum fractures when performing CPR. But even so, saving a patient's life in the golden hour is more important than the pain and injury caused by a broken rib. Proper chest compressions can reduce the incidence of rib and sternal fractures or minimize the damage caused by them.