Evaluation of basic life support interventions for foreign body airway obstructions: A population-based cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Back blows are associated with improved outcomes compared to abdominal thrusts and chest compressions.
Study context
- Population
- Prehospital foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO) patient encounters (provincial EMS records linked to hospital data), Alberta, CanadaFBAOs requiring intervention
- Participants
- 709 participants
- Exposure
- AT, CC or combinations vs back blows
- Outcome
- FBAO relief
Methodological detailsMultivariable logistic regression, EMS records linked to hospital data; 2 physicians reviewed encounters
- Multivariable logistic regression
- EMS records linked to hospital data; 2 physicians reviewed encounters
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Each group vs BBAdjusted odds ratio (95% CI)
AT
0.49(0.30–0.80)
CC
0.14(0.07–0.28)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | aOR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Survival to dischargeCC vs BB | 0.04 (0.01–0.32) | |
| 0.050.21520Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
Deaths, FBAO relieved vs not relieved before paramedic arrival
- Higher proportion of deaths when FBAO not relieved before paramedic arrival: n = 4[0.4%] vs n = 92[42.4%]
- P < 0.001
FBAO not relieved by rescuer
- Not relieved by bystanders
- 151 (23.5%)
- Not relieved by paramedics
- 11 (16.7%)
- Bystanders performed initial basic life support (BLS) intervention in 488 cases (77.4%)
Safety
| Outcome | BB | AT | CC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intervention-associated injuriesIdentified by ICD codes, then health records review | zero events | four events | nine events |
Original publication
Evaluation of basic life support interventions for foreign body airway obstructions: A population-based cohort study. Resuscitation. Published 31 May 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →