Welcome to the list.
The reason for saying "don't do chest compressions on adults with a beating heart" is to stop well-intentioned people killing each while they practice their CPR. In adults with an obstructed airway, abdominal thrust is more effective than chest compression. In children, however, abdominal thrust carries the risk of abdominal injury, so chest compression is recommended. It is important to stress the need for prompt action in clearing the airway in a choking child rather generate fear over the hypothetical risk of stopping their heart - it will happen soon enough if you don't removed the impacted object from their larynx.
Howard Simpson, A&E SpR. Wessex.
-----Original Message-----
From: Erika Kovannin [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 13 March 2000 16:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Infants - abdominal thrusts
New to the list, fairly new to emergency medicine...
The question pertains to finger positioning for
abdominal thrusts on an infant. According to the
reference books, finger placement is in precisely the
same position as for external chest compressions for CPR. It has been mentioned that to perform CPR on an adult whilst the heart is beating could in fact put the heart in arrest. Does this differ in infants? Why the same finger positioning? Perhaps someone can help me with this one?
Eva
(BCAS)
|