Usefulness of an auditory aid to improve chest compression rate accuracy during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

To assess compression rate accuracy among veterinarians and registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) without and with an audible aid.

Prospective study with use of a canine CPR manikin.

Small animal teaching hospital.

Thirty-six participants (20 veterinarians and 16 RVNs).

Each participant completed the first 2-minute cycle of chest compressions without an auditory aid on a canine CPR manikin. Each participant was then randomized to 1 of 3 auditory aid groups (Group B: Bee Gees "Stayin' Alive"; Group Q: Queen "Another One Bites the Dust"; or Group M: traditional metronome) and then completed a second 2-minute cycle of chest compressions with the instruction to synchronize their compression rate with the beat of the auditory aid. An accurate chest compression rate was defined as obtaining a rate between 100 and 120 compressions per minute (cpm).

Median number of compressions administered by participants during Cycle 1 for the first minute was 111 (range 88-140) and for the second minute was 107 (range 80-151), with 25 of 36 (69%) participants obtaining an accurate chest compression rate. Median number of compressions administered during Cycle 2 for the first minute was 110 (range 76-125) and for the second minute was 110 (range 72-125), with 34 of 36 participants (94%) obtaining an accurate chest compression rate. Participants were more likely to obtain an accurate chest compression rate when an auditory aid was present compared to without (McNemar's test; P = 0.013). Subgroup analysis suggested the auditory aid was beneficial in Groups Q and M but not Group B (Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn's post hoc testing; P = 0.014, P = 0.0455, and P = 0.5637, respectively).

An auditory aid was associated with improved chest compression rate accuracy. However, as the auditory aid was not beneficial for Group B participants, our findings suggest that some auditory aids are more helpful than others.