Abstract
Background. The quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is pivotal in improving the outcome of cardiac arrest. Nevertheless, there is evidence that even professional rescuers may deliver ineffective chest compressions (CCs). We sought to evaluate the impact of a CPR feedback device on the quality of CC performed by a supposedly highly trained and skilled population of attendees to the national annual congress of the Italian Resuscitation Council. Methods. A total of 202 congress attendees were enrolled to perform 2 min CC without feedback, followed by a 5 min rest and another 2 min interval of CC with feedback. Moreover, participants were randomly assigned to two study groups: "feedback later", in which the first 2 min CCs were delivered without the feedback, and "feedback first", in which the first 2 min CCs were aided by feedback. CPR quality has been analyzed in terms of the percentage of CC with adequate depth (CC, %), complete chest release (CR, %), and the CC rate (CC/min). Results. Approximately 60% of correct CCs were performed without feedback, which significantly increased to 79% with the use of feedback. In the "feedback later" group, the percentage of correctly performed CC and CR significantly increased during the second 2 min interval of CC with feedback (median value 51% vs. 86%, p < 0.0001 and 71% vs. 84%, p = 0.025, respectively). In the "feedback first" group, the percentage of correct CC remained stable during the two CC intervals (71% vs. 80%, p = 0.06), while CR was better without the help of the feedback (70% vs. 93%, p < 0.0001). CC/min was in the recommended range (100-120/min) in all the CC events. Conclusions. In this population of expected highly skilled CPR providers, the overall quality was inconsistent and, in many cases, did not reach guidelines recommendations. The use of a feedback device significantly improved the quality of CC. When the feedback device was used in the first CC attempt, it had a learning effect that was reflected in maintaining quality during the second CC series.