eMJA: Recently in the emergency department: chest x-ray of a repeatedly resuscitated object

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Recently in the emergency department: chest x-ray of a repeatedly resuscitated object

Wolfgang Lederer, Martin Breiteneder, Michael Rieger and Christoph J Schlimp

MJA 2007; 187 (11/12): 695

“Kelly Laerdal”, age unknown, but repeatedly resuscitated, was scheduled for a chest x-ray to investigate the metallic contents of the thorax, with the aim of understanding why resuscitation manikins might differ in their susceptibility to electromagnetic interference in electrocardiogram recording.1

Besides some minor electronic components, the image shows a prominent cardiac massage pressure point, gives a hint of shoulder joint junctions, and shows exactly where the auscultation regions (covered by loudspeakers) are located — a “must know” for every advanced cardiac life support student.

Wolfgang Lederer, Consultant and Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine1Martin Breiteneder, Paramedic Training Director2Michael Rieger, Senior Consultant, Department of Radiology1Christoph J Schlimp, Consultant, Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine3

1 Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.

2 Austrian Red Cross, Innsbruck Division, Innsbruck, Austria.

3 Trauma Hospital Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria.

c.schlimpATgmx.at

Schlimp CJ, Breiteneder M, Lederer W. Safety aspects for public access defibrillation using automated external defibrillators near high-voltage power lines. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2004; 48: 595-600. <PubMed>

(Received 17 Aug 2007, accepted 23 Aug 2007)