During open-chest CPR, the hand is used to firmly pump the heart at ___ times per minute?

During open-chest CPR, the hand is used to firmly pump the heart at ___ times per minute?

• A. 60
• B. 80
• C. 100
• D. 120

Answer: (C)

Direct cardiac massage during open-chest CPR aims to generate forward blood flow by rhythmically compressing the heart itself. The pace is set at about one hundred compressions per minute because this rate provides consistent perfusion of the coronary arteries and brain while avoiding excessive myocardial stress or inadequate filling. If the tempo is too slow, perfusion falls, and vital organs suffer; if it’s too fast, the heart may not fill adequately between beats and the myocardial work increases without a corresponding rise in output. In the open-chest setting, this direct massage can be quite effective, but the goal remains to maintain a steady, hemodynamically meaningful rate, not to rush beyond what the heart can handle.

Direct cardiac massage during open-chest CPR aims to generate forward blood flow by rhythmically compressing the heart itself. The pace is set at about one hundred compressions per minute because this rate provides consistent perfusion of the coronary arteries and brain while avoiding excessive myocardial stress or inadequate filling. If the tempo is too slow, perfusion falls, and vital organs suffer; if it’s too fast, the heart may not fill adequately between beats and the myocardial work increases without a corresponding rise in output. In the open-chest setting, this direct massage can be quite effective, but the goal remains to maintain a steady, hemodynamically meaningful rate, not to rush beyond what the heart can handle.