In the last 50 years of modern-era cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), survival rates remain dismal, worldwide. International CPR guidelines recommended a compression rate of at least 100 per minute. There is little evidence documenting if and to what extent high compression rates affect the quality of chest compressions.

An objective of this study was to evaluate the effect mean compression rate (MCR) had on the overall quality of chest compressions. Investigators hypothesized that MCRs > 110 would result in a smaller percentage of adequate: compressions (PAC); depth (PAD); and recoil (PAR).

In this observational pilot study, basic life support providers were recruited from prehospital and in-hospital settings to provide 10 minutes of continuous chest compressions, based on the 2005 American Heart Association guidelines. An adequate compression was defined as a compression that was > 35 mm, had full recoil, and correct hand position. Data were recorded using the Laerdal PC Skill reporting System.

Ninety four (91.3%) of 103 participants completed 10 minutes of compressions. Rescuers represented a variety of backgrounds, average age of 35.5 ± 11.0 years. Fifty eight (56.2%) rescuers had performed CPR in the last two years, and 54 (52.4%) practiced prehospital EMS. Providers that did not complete the entire 10 minutes tended to have a higher MCR than those completing 10 minutes, 114.2 ± 19.3 vs. 105.8 ± 15.4 respectively. Within the first two minutes, rescuers with a MCR > 110 delivered 45% of their compressions adequately, compared to 60% when a rescuer's MCR was < 110. This initial disparity was primarily due to decreased PAR, not decreased PAD. After 2 minutes, higher MCRs correlated with decreased PAC, due to decreased PAD.

Data indicates a higher MCR results in decreased PAC, PAD, and PAR, likely attributed to increased rescuer fatigue.