Evaluation of the impact of body mass index and mid-upper arm circumference on the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

High survival rates in cases of cardiac arrest can only be achieved through high-quality and effective chest compressions. The muscle strength and physical characteristics of the practitioners are among the factors that influence effective chest compressions. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the measurement of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), a surrogate anthropometric marker of muscle mass in the body, and the effectiveness of CPR. A total of 142 final-year medical students were selected as participants. The study examined the impact of the participants’ physical characteristics, body mass index (BMI), and MUAC measurements on CPR quality. Of the participants, 78 were male, and the rate of achieving appropriate chest compression depth was found to be 99%. MUAC measurements of participants achieving appropriate compression depth ranged between 24 and 28 cm for women and 30–34 cm for men. While most participants with normal BMI achieved the ideal compression rate, no significant correlation was observed between BMI and CPR quality (n = 51, p = 0.812). Among women with a MUAC of 24 cm or more, 92.3% (n = 12) achieved appropriate chest compression depth, whereas this rate was 76.7% (n = 33) for men. Participants classified as underweight based on BMI had a compression success rate of 8% (n = 7), compared to 58% (n = 51) for those with normal BMI. In this study, CPR quality did not differ significantly by MUAC for both genders. Although participants within optimal MUAC ranges achieved adequate compression depth more frequently, these differences were not statistically significant. Participants with a normal BMI were more successful in achieving the ideal compression rate. On the other hand, underweight participants could not maintain adequate chest compression depth.