Objective To explore the feasibility of mechanical chest compression to establish a rat model of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).Methods 4-month old healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=6) and model group (n=10). After induction of anaesthesia with 10% chloraldurate (3 ml/kg, i.p.), tracheal intubation and left femoral artery cannulation were performed. Under electrocardiographic and artery blood pressure monitoring, tracheal obstruction (TO) was performed to rats in model group. At 2 min after the cardiac arrest (CA) occurred, CPRs were administered to the rats using a self-made animal chest compressor, which provided chest-compression at a rate of 200 bpm. Results Shortly after TO, rats in the model group had respiratory arrest, cyanosis and arrhythmia. Electrocardiography indicated that CA occurred within 4-5 min, with a decreased artery systolic blood pressure (<40 mmHg) and a zero pulse pressure. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after the CPR was successfully achieved in 8 rats (80%), with a transient reperfusion arrhythmia. Finally, 60% of the rats (n=6) recovered to consciousness and survived for 24 hrs. The serum biochemical analysis indicated that there were electrolyte disturbances, acidosis, impaired renal functions and increased myocardial enzyme spectrum. Pathological examination revealed cardiac rhabdomyolysis, no-reflow phenomenon in renal glomeruli, decrease of neurons and pulmonary congestion in the model group rats. Conclusions Mechanical chest compression can provide minimal cardiac output for the requirement of CPR incardiac arrestin rats. It is feasible to establish rat CPR model with the mechanical chest compression.