Comparison of Bystander Fatigue and CPR Quality When Using the New 30:2 Versus the Old 15:2 Chest Compression to Ventilation International Guidelines: A Randomised Crossover Trial

Background: Cardiac arrest is the number one cause of mortality in the Canadian population. Out-of-hospital bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is associated with a 3 to 4 fold increase in survival for cardiac arrest. Any interruption in the delivery of chest compressions to cardiac arrest victims is detrimental on survival. In an effort to minimize interruptions in chest compressions, the new International Guidelines changed the long-recommended 15:2 compression to ventilation ratio to 30:2. Although the 30:2 ratio is meant to increase survival for cardiac arrest, the ability of rescuers to deliver the new CPR ratio intervention has never been studied. Little is known about the potential impact of the new recommendations on bystander fatigue and resulting CPR quality.

Objectives: The overall goal of this study is to compare bystander fatigue and CPR quality after 5 minutes of the new 30:2 versus the old 15:2 chest compression to ventilation International Guidelines in a population aged 55 or greater.

More specifically, we will compare each CPR ratio with regard to:

1. The achieved frequency and depth of chest compressions,
2. Participant rating of their perceived level of exertion, and
3. Resulting serum lactate levels in a subset of the participants.

Methods: We will conduct a randomized cross-over trial comparing bystander fatigue and CPR quality using two different CPR ratios. Intervention: All participants will be asked to perform two 5-minute sessions of CPR on a recording manikin - one session using the 30:2 ratio, the other using the 15:2 ratio. There will be a supervised practice session in the beginning, and resting periods in between. The order in which the sessions will be executed will be determined in a random fashion. The study population will consist of volunteers aged 55 or older, a group most susceptible to perform CPR on a real victim. The study will take place in a busy public area of The Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus, between the cafeteria and the emergency department. Participants will have to score 3 or less on the validated Clinical Frailty Scale in order to participate in the study. Participants with physical limitations or disease processes precluding their ability to safely perform CPR will be excluded. Outcome measures: Information on age, gender, height, weight, prior CPR training, and measure of frailty will be collected at the time of enrollment. The number, frequency, and quality of chest compressions (depth and release) will be measured during each CPR session using a recording ResusciAnne manikin. Heart rate and blood pressure will be measured before and after each CPR sessions. The participants will be asked to rate their level of fatigue before and after each CPR session using the validated Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale. In addition, serum lactate levels will be determined before and after each CPR session in volunteers from the second group. Sample size: We hope to recruit 42 participants, among which 10 will have their lactate levels measured. Data analysis for Objective#1 and #3 will include descriptive statistics and a paired t-test with 95% confidence interval; Objective#2 will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and WIlcoxon Rank Sum test. In addition, we will perform a stepwise logistic regression analysis to control for the potential confounding effects of variables otherwise associated with bystander fatigue and CPR performance using both CPR ratio. This study protocol will receive ascent form the OHREB before implementation, and will be entered on the OHRI randomized trial registry.