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Review
. 2021 Dec 15;34(4):e0001821.
doi: 10.1128/CMR.00018-21. Epub 2021 Jul 28.

Transmission of Infections during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Paraskevi C Fragkou #  1 , Dimitra Dimopoulou #  2 , George Latsios  3 , Panagiotis Koudounis  4 , Andreas Synetos  3 , Anastasia Dimopoulou  5 , Konstantinos Tsioufis  3 , Vassiliki Papaevangelou  2 , Sotirios Tsiodras  1
Affiliations
Review

Transmission of Infections during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Paraskevi C Fragkou et al. Clin Microbiol Rev. .

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency lifesaving endeavor, performed in either the hospital or outpatient settings, that significantly improves outcomes and survival rates when performed in a timely fashion. As with any other medical procedure, CPR can bear potential risks not only for the patient but also for the rescuer. Among those risks, transmission of an infectious agent has been one of the most compelling triggers of reluctance to perform CPR among providers. The concern for transmission of an infection from the resuscitated subject may impede prompt initiation and implementation of CPR, compromising survival rates and neurological outcomes of the patients. Infections during CPR can be potentially acquired through airborne, droplet, contact, or hematogenous transmission. However, only a few cases of infection transmission have been actually reported globally. In this review, we present the available epidemiological findings on transmission of different pathogens during CPR and data on reluctance of health care workers to perform CPR. We also outline the levels of personal protective equipment and other protective measures according to potential infectious hazards that providers are potentially exposed to during CPR and summarize current guidelines on protection of CPR providers from international societies and stakeholders.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; airborne; blood-borne; cardiopulmonary; infection; resuscitation; transmission.

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Figures

FIG 1
FIG 1
Levels of personal protective equipment (PPE).
FIG 2
FIG 2
Suggested algorithm for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and personal protective equipment (PPE) in patients with airborne or droplet transmitted infection.
FIG 3
FIG 3
Suggested algorithm for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and personal protective equipment (PPE) in patients with bloodborne infection or infection transmitted through contact with skin or other body fluids.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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