The effect of chest compression frequency on the quality of resuscitation by lifeguards. A prospective randomized crossover multicenter simulation trial

BACKGROUND: The ability to perform high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation is one of the basic skills for lifeguards. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of chest compression frequency on the quality of the parameters of chest compressions performed by lifeguards. METHODS: This prospective observational, randomized, crossover simulation study was performed with 40 lifeguards working in Warsaw, Wroclaw, and Poznan, Poland. The subjects then participated in a target study, in which they were asked to perform 2-min cycles of metronome-guided chest compressions at different rates: 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 compressions per minute (CPM). RESULTS: The study involved 40 lifeguards. Optimal chest compression score calculated by manikin software was achieved for 110-120 CPM. Chest compression depth achieved 53 (interquartile range [IQR] 52-54) mm, 56 (IQR 54-57) mm, 52.5 (IQR 50-54) mm, 53 (IQR 52-53) mm, 50 (IQR 49-51) mm, 47 (IQR 44-51) mm, 41 (IQR 40-42) mm, 38 (IQR 38-43) mm for 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150 CPM, respectively. The percentage of chest compressions with the correct depth was lower for rates exceeding 120 CPM. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of 100-120 CPM, as recommended by international guidelines, is the optimal chest compression rate for cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by lifeguards. A rate above 120 CPM was associated with a dramatic decrease in chest compression depth and overall chest compression quality. The role of full chest recoil should be emphasized in basic life support training

Report from the activities of the Polish Anatomical Society in 1997

In l997 the Polish Anatomical Society included 391 regular members and 10 honorary members (2 from abroad), active in 12 regional sections. The activities of the society were conducted by the Main Board, which in 1997 held 4 plenary sessions, one with participation of chairmen of the regional sections. During plenary sessions the activity of the regional sections, betterment and advancement of medical education as well as editoral problems of Folia Morphologica (editor-in-chief- prof. Witold Woźniak) and Advances in Cell Biology (editor-in-chief - prof. Jerzy Kawiak) were discussed. Between the plenary sessions of the Main Board all the affairs of the society were conducted by its Presidium. In the Main Board of the Polish Anatomical Society are active the following sections: 1) Electron Microscopy (chairman - prof. Zofia Osuchowska), 2) Developmental Anatomy (chairman - prof. Małgorzata Bruska), 3) Neuroanatomy (chairman - prof. Janusz Moryś), 4) Teaching of Anatomy in Medical Faculties (chairman - prof. Olgierd Narkiewicz), 5) Teaching of Anatomy in Veterinary Faculties (chairman - prof. Henryk Kobryń), 6) Clinical Anatomy (chairman - prof. Ryszard Aleksandrowicz). On February 7, 1997 in the Department of Veterinary Medicine in Lublin the end of Competition "Vena nostra" was held. The Competition was organized by Department of Animal Anatomy, Agricultural University in Lublin under the auspices of the Main Board of the Polish Anatomical Society. On May 24 - 27, 1997, in Olsztyn the Bipartie Meeting of the Anatomische Gesellschaft and the Polish Anatomical Society was held. Altogether 367 participants presented 2 plenary lectures, 113 oral presentations, and 205 posters. The Main Board of the Polish Anatomical Society together with Polish Histo-and Cytochemical Society organized 27th Conference on "Ultrastructure and function of cell nucleus". The Conference was held on December 13, 1997 in Warsaw. The scientific activities of the Polish Anatomical Society were conducted in the regional sections, which in 1997 organized 32 local meetings. The topics of meetings were following: - Białystok Section (chairman - prof. T. Jelisiejew) Report not received. - Bydgoszcz Section (chairman - prof. D. Gościcka). 1) Anatomical basis of the surgical approach to the splanchnic nerves during thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy in pains of pancreatic origin 2) Renal arteries in human fetuses - Gdańsk Section (chairman - prof. M. Grzybiak). 1) EPR in connective tissue investiga- tions 2) Apoptosis during development of the rat's striatum 3) Septomarginal trabecula in primates 4) Angiogenesis 5) Comparative anatomy of claustrum - Katowice and Zabrze Section (chairman - prof. K. Ślusarczyk). 1) Morphology and function of lymphatic system in laboratory animals 2) Sources of blood supply and angioarchitecture of peripheral nerves and central nervous system in human and experimental animals 3) Age changes in the nervous system in Wistar rats 4) Somatic features of children and teenagers in manufactory industry environment - Kraków Section (chairman - prof. A. Skawina). 1) Prof. Jan Kuś - obituary 2) Microangioarchitectonics of the human fetal spinal ganglia 3) Classification of congenital limb deficiencies - Lublin Section (chairman - prof. R. Maciejewski). Report not received - Łódz Section (chairman - prof. H. Kosiński). 1) Ultrasonographic anatomy of the heart 2) Immunoreactivity of beta-endorphin in normal and pathologic skin 3) Growth and proportions of the head in children of Łódź district 4) Argirophile proteins of urinary bladder tumors - ultrastructural and light microscopic studies - Olsztyn Section (chairman - prof. B. Przybylska-Gornwicz). 1) Sources, transmitters, and function of nerves fibres supplying genital organs - Poznań Section (chairman - prof. S. Godynicki). 1) Scanning electron microscopy in developmental anatomy 2) Development of the nerve endings in human fetal external genitalia 3) The submandibular ganglion in human fetuses. - Szczecin Section (chairman - dr E. Tomasik). 1) Angiography of uterine tubes 2) Radiology in diagnostics - Warsaw Section (chairman - prof. P. Sysa). 1) Functional anatomy of knee 2) Ultrasound investigations of the skeletal system 3) Hybridization mRNA amyloid precursor in smooth muscles isolated from meningeal blood vessels in dogs 4) Morphometric study of rat's corpus luteum 5) Angiogenesis and hemopoiesis of pig's embryonic liver - Wrocław Section (chairman - prof. M. Zabel). Report not received