Open-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation through a transdiaphragmatic approach in dogs: a cadaveric study to describe the surgical approach and manipulations

OBJECTIVE To describe the detailed surgical procedure for open-chest CPR (OC-CPR) through a transdiaphragmatic (TD) approach during planned laparotomy and to evaluate the procedure time and damage to organs. ANIMALS 7 mixed-breed canine cadavers. METHODS The procedure was divided into 3 stages. Durations for each of the 3 stages of the procedure and total time from diaphragmatic incision to the end of Rumel tourniquet application were recorded. Subjective assessment of ease of procedures and postprocedural physical evaluation of thoracoabdominal organs were also performed. RESULTS Mean time from diaphragmatic incision to pericardiotomy was 15.1 seconds (SD, 4.0). Performing 10 cardiac compressions took 12.0 seconds (SD, 1.8). Dissection of the aorta and application of a Rumel tourniquet took 130.4 seconds (SD, 52.2). The mean total time from start of first procedure to end of last procedure was 157.6 seconds (SD, 21.5). The mean length of diaphragmatic incision was 11.5 cm (SD, 2.2). Lung laceration was identified in one dog, and liver laceration was identified in another dog. The mean ease of pericardiotomy was 10, and application of a Rumel tourniquet was 4 (SD, 1.9). There was no instance of abdominal organs moving into the thoracic cavity during the procedure in any of the dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Resuscitation techniques during TD OC-CPR can be performed with acceptable timing and effort, except for aortic Rumel tourniquet application, which was difficult and time consuming. Avoidable damage to thoracoabdominal organs can occur.