What is Q-CPR?

Q. What are the Principles of Q- CPR?

Q- CPR (Quality) CPR is a useful descriptive term for the range of techniques to achieve maximal cerebral blood flow and coronary perfusion during the state of cardiac arrest. Q-CPR aims to maximise the chance of achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and ultimately the survival of patients with good neurological outcomes (our ultimate objective). Achieving Q-CPR relies on absolute attention to detail of all aspects of resuscitation but especially of closed chest compressions (CCCs) including rate, depth and ensuring chest recoil is complete, as well as careful choreography of secondary therapies during the process of resuscitation.

The Principles of Q-CPR

Minimise interruptions in CPR at all times
Correct rate – 100/min
Correct depth (at least 5cm)
Ensure full chest recoil/decompression
CPR for at least 2 min prior to defibrillation in unmonitored arrest
CPR immediately post defibrillation without reassessment of ROSC
Intubate or place LMA during ongoing CPR
Avoid hyperventilation at all costs
Place IV or IO with ongoing CPR
Co-ordination and teamwork essential to achieve these aims

Minimise interruptions to CPR at all times.

For some light reading the ILCOR guidelines have a lot to say on the issue:

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/early/2013/06/25/CIR.0b013e31829d8654.full.pdf

ILCOR have recently focussed attention on the priority of closed chest compressions as the single most important intervention in OHCA and have de-emphasised airway and ventilation in the early phase of resuscitation.

No one has said it better than Vinne Jones in this British Heart Foundation ad for Compression only CPR

Evidence demonstrates that bystander CPR rates correlate very well with survival in EMS systems and in both animal models and human patients the CPR fraction (the percentage of time that compressions are being delivered during the resuscitation) is highly correlated with successful resuscitation.

Each time CPR is suspended for a task the coronary perfusion pressure falls rapidly and requires periods of several seconds to several minutes to re-establish.

Correct rate – 100/min, correct depth (at least 5cm), ensure full chest recoil/decompression

Just as important as CPR fraction is the quality of CPR being performed. “Hard and Fast. Correct Rate. Correct Depth. Full Recoil of the Chest” must be the mantra for the Team Leader at a cardiac arrest. As chest compression rates fall, a significant drop-off in ROSC occurs. Rates higher than 100 may reduce coronary blood flow and impair the quality of each compression.

Devices which feedback the quality of CCCs to rescuers in real-time are useful adjuncts

Current guidelines recommend a single minimum depth for compressions of “at least ” 50 mm (2 inches) in adults. Less information is available for children, but it is reasonable to aim for a compression depth of at least one third of the anterior-posterior dimension of the chest in infants and children. The preponderance of literature suggests that rescuers often do not compress the chest deeply enough despite recommendations.

A good example of high quality CPR shown here:

Data from large cardiac arrest registries suggest that rates above or below 100-120 per minute appear to reduce survival to discharge. The Thoracic Pump Model makes it clear why full chest recoil is important in generating cardiac output during arrest by maximising negative intra-thoracic pressure. It remains one of the most common errors in CPR and is particularly common during prolonged CPR due to rescuers tiring and tending to lean on the patient between compressions.

CPR for at least 2 min prior to defibrillation in unmonitored arrest

Animal studies confirm our understanding of the conditions needed to achieve successful defibrillation. They are :

adequate perfusion of the coronary arteries and
a heart that is not “overfilled”

Immediately following VF the heart continues to be filled by residual venous return but with no forward flow the chambers expand. This reduces the efficacy of electrical therapies.

Watch the following time-lapse of 15 min of VF in 15 sec to see the effect in action.

CPR immediately post defibrillation without reassessment of ROSC

Just as we now charge the defibrillator during compressions to avoid interruptions in CCCs it is essential to restart CCCs immediately AFTER defibrillation without waiting for reassesment of ROSC. This sequence needs to be well drilled and the Team Leader must give clear direction to ensure this occurs. Signs of ROSC which might be useful in manual CPR can be more difficult in patients undergoing mechanical CPR. Traditionally a sharply rising ETCO2 or evidence of spontaneous movements will indicate ROSC but some patients may demonstrate these features whilst undergoing mechanical CPR without underlying cardiac activity. Sometimes sedation is even required during cardiac arrest for patients when mechanical CPR devices are used because improved cerebral perfusion can result in spontaneous movements.

If you need to ventilate using a BVM the 2 person “Thenar Eminence Technique” (Thumbs-to-toes) is much more effective than single person or C-grip.

Vascular access with ongoing CPR

Whilst the benefits of drug therapy for cardiac arrest remain controversial current guidelines (such as the ARC below) continue to advocate Adrenaline every second cycle and Amiodarone for refractory VF/VT. Again it remains secondary to performance of optimal CCC. Vascular access should be placed without interrupting CPR.