Feedback during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines emphasize that providing high-quality basic life support is the single most important contribution to successful resuscitation. Efficiency of advanced cardiac life support depends on sufficient cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance leading to continuous bloodflow and oxygenation. Existing data show that the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance is poor. Feedback technologies claim to improve cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality by supporting rescuers in their efforts.

Rescuers regularly fail to achieve chest compressions at sufficient frequency and depth. Interruption of chest compression whilst the patient is in cardiac arrest results in reduced chances for successful defibrillation and survival. ECG interpretation in cardiac arrest challenges rescuers and results in nonindicated defibrillations. In several simulator studies and clinical trails cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance was improved by introducing feedback elements. It remains unclear, however, to what extent feedback is needed and useful.

Since effective basic life support is crucial for victims of cardiac arrest, recent findings that cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality provided by professionals fails to achieve recommended levels is not acceptable. Efforts need to be made in order to improve cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality and to support rescuers by real-time feedback. The technical elements of cardiopulmonary resuscitation feedback need to be carefully studied before being introduced into practice.