A case of left ventricle rupture complicating lay rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation

ABSTRACT

Chest compression is the most important component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but excessive chest compression can cause serious mechanical complications. Skeletal injuries are the most frequent complications of chest compression, but lacerations of the heart and great vessels are very rare. We report a case of a 62-year-old woman who developed an acute alteration in mental status, and underwent chest compression by a lay rescuer for 5 minutes. When she arrived at the emergency department, she regained consciousness, but constantly complained of chest pain and hypotension. Chest computed tomography revealed a left ventricular free wall rupture with extravasation and hemopericardium. She was managed with surgical repair and was discharged without complications after 21 days of admission.