Background: Due to SARS-CoV-2 respiratory failure, prone positioning of patients with respiratory and hemodynamic instability has become a frequent intervention in intensive care units (ICUs), and even in patients undergoing transfer in an ambulance or helicopter. The question becomes how to perform safe and effective CPR in prone position, achieving both an optimal outcome for the patient and optimal protection of staff from infection.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a feasibility study to assess the effects of CPR with an automatic load-distributing band (AutoPulseTM) in prone position.
Results: In supine position, AutoPulseTM generated a constant pressure depth of 3 cm at a frequency of 84/min. In prone position, AutoPulseTM generated a constant pressure depth of 2.6 cm at a frequency of 84/min.
Conclusion: We found that AutoPulseTM CPR was feasible in manikins in both prone and supine positions.