Effects of metronome use on cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality

OBJECTIVE: Whether the use of metronome affects the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of metronome use on CPR quality. METHODS: This was a prospective, simulation-based CPR manikin study. There were two phases: without and with metronome use. Chest compression was performed for 2 min, and three CPR quality criteria including chest compression depth, recoil, and rate were recorded with TrueCPR Feedback Device in both phases. RESULTS: In all, 102 resident physicians were included. The achievement of optimal chest compression depth and complete recoil was better with metronome use than without (83% and 77% vs. 78% and 39%, P ≤ 0.001, respectively). Optimal chest compression rate was also reached with metronome use because the range of the compression rate was closer to the normal limits than those without metronome use (110 [interquartile range (IQR) 109–113] vs. 120 [IQR 109–129], P ≤ 0.001). Of all the participants, 70.6% stated that metronome use had a positive effect on their performance during the CPR application and 66.7% stated that they wished to use the metronome in their daily practice. CONCLUSION: Using a metronome during simulation-based CPR improved the compression depth and recoil by fixing chest compression rate. We suggested that metronome should be used in CPR trainings of health-care professionals.