Abstract 72: Addition of Real-Time CPR Feedback Improves Immediate Outcomes for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Abstract

Introduction: The 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines stated that “cardiopulmonary resuscitation prompt and feedback devices may be useful for training rescuers and may be useful as part of an overall strategy to improve the quality of CPR for actual cardiac arrests.” We sought to assess the effect of one such device on OOHCA outcomes in a large, urban setting. Methodology: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest data from two consecutive twelve-month periods was analyzed: August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011 (control) and August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012 (CPR feedback). During the CPR feedback period, defibrillators capable of providing real-time audible and visual CPR feedback were added to standard prehospital resuscitation care. Results: There were 850 and 748 bystander witnessed arrests of cardiac etiology in the two periods. Patient and arrest characteristics for the two groups did not differ with respect to age, gender, race, response time, bystander witnessed status, or the frequency of bystander CPR. As compared to the control period, the addition of real-time CPR feedback resulted in a significant improvement in immediate outcomes: return of spontaneous circulation, or ROSC (39.59% vs. 47.71%, p=0.001); sustained ROSC (31.17% vs. 36.14%, p= 0.037). However, there was no improvement in survival to hospital admission (24.88% vs. 25.32%, p=0.85) or survival to hospital discharge (5.63% vs. 6.72%, p=0.43). In addition, among those survivors for whom neurologic status is known, the addition of CPR feedback did not significantly change the proportion of survivors considered neurologically intact (70.37% vs 65.63%, all p=0.78). Conclusions: The addition of real-time CPR feedback to a large urban EMS system’s resuscitation care resulted in significant improvements in immediate survival but did not affect overall survival rates. It is also possible earlier introduction of these devices (through their use by first responder and/or earlier arriving basic life support units) may provide greater benefit. Further data analysis is required to determine the specific effect of CPR feedback devices on long-term survival and to optimize their use in resuscitation care.