Noncompressible Chest Wall in Critically Buried Avalanche Victims with Cardiac Arrest: A Case Series

Abstract

David Eidenbenz, Alexandre Kottmann, Ken Zafren, Pierre-Nicolas Carron, Roland Albrecht, and Mathieu Pasquier. Noncompressible chest wall in critically buried avalanche victims with cardiac arrest: a case series. High Alt Med Biol. 26:129–133, 2025.

Introduction:

In avalanche victims with cardiac arrest, a noncompressible chest wall or frozen body is a contraindication to initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The evidence sustaining this recommendation is low.

Objective:

To describe the characteristics and prehospital management of critically buried avalanche victims declared dead on site, with and without noncompressible chest walls.

Methods:

Retrospective study including all critically buried avalanche victims declared dead on site by physicians of a helicopter emergency medical service in Switzerland, from 2010 to 2019. The primary outcome was the proportion of victims with a noncompressible chest wall reported in medical records. Secondary outcomes included victims’ characteristics and the relevance of the criterion, noncompressible chest wall, for management.

Results:

Among the 53 included victims, 12 (23%) had noncompressible chest walls. Victims with noncompressible chest walls had significantly longer burial durations (median 1,125 vs. 45 minutes; p < 0.001) and lower core temperatures (median 14 vs. 32°C; p = 0.01). The criterion, noncompressible chest wall, assessed in six victims, was decisive for declaring death on site in four victims.

Conclusion:

The presence of a noncompressible chest wall does not appear to be a sufficient criterion to allow to declare the death of critically buried avalanche victims. Further clinical information should be sought.