The effect of the head-up position in cardiopulmonary resuscitation – A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveThe pros and cons of the head-up position (HUP) in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have been controversial in previous studies. This study aims to clarify the effect of HUP CPR compared to supine position (SUP) CPR.MethodThree databases were comprehensively searched (PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library) for articles published from database inception to 10 May 2021. The primary outcome was cerebral perfusion pressure (CerPP). The secondary outcomes were mean intracranial pressure (ICP), mean artery pressure (MAP), coronary artery perfusion pressure (CoPP) and the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) rate.ResultA total of 7 studies including 138 animals were included. We found that CerPP (SMD, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.98–2.19; p < 0.01; I2 = 51%) and ICP (SMD, -3.59; 95% CI, -5.16– -2.02; p < 0.01; I2 = 87%) were decreased significantly in the HUP group. HUP had a similar MAP (SMD, -0.54; 95% CI, -1.75–0.66; p = 0.38; I2 = 87%) and ROSC rate (RR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.31–2.60; p = 0.84; I2 = 65%) to SUP. In addition, there was an increased CoPP trend in HUP, but the difference was not statistically significant (SMD, 0.92; 95% CI, -0.24–2.08; p = 0.12; I2 = 84%)ConclusionThe HUP 30° in active compression-decompression CPR (ACD-CPR) with an impedance threshold device (ITD) can increase CerPP by significantly lowering ICP and maintaining MAP compared to SUP, and the effect is immediate and lasts the whole CPR duration. In addition, CoPP might also be increased compared to that with SUP.