title: Complete chest recoil during laypersons' CPR: Is it a matter of weight?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chest compressions depth and complete chest recoil are both important for high-quality Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). It has been demonstrated that anthropometric variables affect chest compression depth, but there are no data about they could influence chest recoil. The aim of this study was to verify whether physical attributes influences chest recoil in lay rescuers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 1 minute of compression-only CPR performed by 333 laypersons immediately after a Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation (BLS/AED) course. The primary endpoint was to verify whether anthropometric variables influence the achievement a complete chest recoil. Secondary endpoint was to verify the influence of anthropometric variables on chest compression depth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a statistically significant association between weight and percentage of compressions with correct release (p≤0.001) and this association was found also for height, BMI and sex. People who are heavier, who are taller, who have a greater BMI and who are male are less likely to achieve a complete chest recoil. Regarding chest compressions depth, we confirm that the more a person weighs, the more likely the correct depth of chest compressions will be reached.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anthropometric variables affect not only chest compression depth, but also complete chest recoil. CPR instructors should tailor their attention during training on different aspect of chest compression depending on the physical characteristics of the attendee.
authors.affiliation: Pavia nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Robbio nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27038 Robbio, Italy; University of Pavia, School of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Contri
authors.affiliation: Pavia nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Robbio nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27038 Robbio, Italy; University of Pavia, School of Cardiovascular Disease, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cornara
authors.affiliation: Pavia nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Robbio nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27038 Robbio, Italy; University of Pavia, School of Cardiovascular Disease, 27100 Pavia, Italy. Electronic address: alberto.somaschini08@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Somaschini
authors.affiliation: Pavia nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Robbio nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27038 Robbio, Italy; University of Pavia, School of Cardiovascular Disease, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dossena
authors.affiliation: Pavia nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Robbio nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27038 Robbio, Italy; University of Pavia, School of Vascular Internal Medicine, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tonani
authors.affiliation: Pavia nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Robbio nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27038 Robbio, Italy; University of Pavia, School of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Epis
authors.affiliation: Pavia nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Robbio nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27038 Robbio, Italy; Pediatric Surgical Unit, Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother-Child Care "G. D'Alessandro", AOU Policlinico Paolo Giaccone, 90127 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zambaiti
authors.affiliation: Pavia nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Robbio nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27038 Robbio, Italy.
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fichtner
authors.affiliation: Pavia nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Robbio nel Cuore, IRC-Comunità Training Center, 27038 Robbio, Italy; University of Pavia, School of Cardiovascular Disease, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baldi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy; D006336:Heart Massage / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D011312:Pressure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Basic life support (BLS); Cardiac arrest; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); Chest recoil; Education; Lay bystanders; Manikin; Training