A Comparison of Compression Rates on the Quality of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) there are different opinions on the compression rate that should be applied. The aim of this study was to compare the total number of adequate compressions delivered during a five-minute period among four groups of lay persons (> or =139 min-1, 129-138, 114-128, and 100 times/minute and a depth of >5 cm for five minutes. A total of 86 participants were then divided into four groups based on their mean compression rate. Age, sex, and body mass index were analyzed as factors affecting the compression rates. RESULTS: The group delivering a compression rate above 139 compressions min-1 performed better than those delivering below 114 compressions min-1 (p=0.03). There was no significant difference in the mean compression depth (p=0.13), percentage of incomplete chest recoil (p=0.277), or the percentage of incorrect hand positioning (p=0.091). All participants (except five) performed chest compressions at a rate above 100 compressions min-1. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a chest compression rate above 139 compressions min-1 does not deteriorate the quality of compressions compared to a lower chest compression rate (below 114 min-1) during a five-minute period. Most untrained lay people performed chest compressions well, within a range of 100~150 min-1.