Isolated acute traumatic aortic injury following cardiopulmonary resuscitation with excessively forceful chest compressions

We report a rare cause of isolated acute traumatic aortic injury in a 58-year-old woman with a body mass index (BMI) of 19.4, following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Our case is unique in that CPR was performed by a single CPR provider, no significant trauma occurred with the preceding syncope, and aortic injury occurred in isolation without fractures or other traumatic injury. Healthcare providers need to be aware that although chest compression of at least 2 inches depth is needed for effective CPR, the force required to achieve this compression is much less in an individual with a BMI of around 20 as opposed to a BMI of 40. Excessive chest compression can lead to acute traumatic aortic injury. We review appropriate resuscitation and chest compression depth, CPR associated injuries including aortic injuries and mechanisms of acute traumatic aortic injury. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Patient care and medical knowledge.