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. 2014 Jun 24;33(1):16.
doi: 10.1186/1880-6805-33-16.

Relationship between weight of rescuer and quality of chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Tomoyuki Hasegawa  1 , Rie Daikoku, Shin Saito, Yayoi Saito
Affiliations

Relationship between weight of rescuer and quality of chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Tomoyuki Hasegawa et al. J Physiol Anthropol. .

Abstract

Background: According to the guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the rotation time for chest compression should be about 2 min. The quality of chest compressions is related to the physical fitness of the rescuer, but this was not considered when determining rotation time. The present study aimed to clarify associations between body weight and the quality of chest compression and physical fatigue during CPR performed by 18 registered nurses (10 male and 8 female) assigned to light and heavy groups according to the average weight for each sex in Japan.

Methods: Five-minute chest compressions were then performed on a manikin that was placed on the floor. Measurement parameters were compression depth, heart rate, oxygen uptake, integrated electromyography signals, and rating of perceived exertion. Compression depth was evaluated according to the ratio (%) of adequate compressions (at least 5 cm deep).

Results: The ratio of adequate compressions decreased significantly over time in the light group. Values for heart rate, oxygen uptake, muscle activity defined as integrated electromyography signals, and rating of perceived exertion were significantly higher for the light group than for the heavy group.

Conclusion: Chest compression caused increased fatigue among the light group, which consequently resulted in a gradual fall in the quality of chest compression. These results suggested that individuals with a lower body weight should rotate at 1-min intervals to maintain high quality CPR and thus improve the survival rates and neurological outcomes of victims of cardiac arrest.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Experimental protocol. Compression depth (CD), heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2), electromyography (EMG), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Posture for chest compression.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Comparison of ratios of adequate compression between light and heavy groups. Values are shown as medians and max-min. Significant differences between light and heavy groups (*P <0.05; Mann-Whitney U test) and between 30 s and subsequent times in light group (†P <0.05; Wilcoxon sign rank test).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of heart rates between light and heavy groups. Values are shown as medians and max-min. Significant difference between light and heavy groups (*P <0.05 and **P <0.01; Mann-Whitney U test). HR, heart rate.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Comparison of oxygen uptake between light and heavy groups. Values are shown as medians and max-min. Significant difference between light and heavy groups (*P <0.05 and **P <0.01; Mann-Whitney U test). VO2, oxygen uptake.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Comparison of RPE between light and heavy groups. Values are shown as medians and max-min. Significant difference between light and heavy groups (*P <0.05; Mann-Whitney U test) and between 1 min and subsequent times in light (†P <0.05; Wilcoxon sign rank test) and heavy (‡P <0.05; Wilcoxon sign rank test) groups. RPE, rating of perceived exertion.
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