RECOVER Initiative announces updates to CPR guidelines

jes2uphoto/stock.adobe.com

Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) Initiative unveiled its first major update to its global veterinary cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines that were first launched in 2012. RECOVER Initiative hopes the updates to the guidelines will create a new life-saving standard based on scientific advancements and extensive community feedback.

“The publication of these new guidelines represents a pivotal event in veterinary resuscitation science. These updates incorporate new scientific evidence, feedback from the veterinary community, and the latest advancements, directly enhancing how we perform life-saving CPR on pets,” expressed Manuel Boller, Dr med vet, MTR, MANZCVS, DACVECC, co-chair of the RECOVER Initiative, in an organizational release.¹

According to the release, the revised guidelines introduce changes reflecting the latest advancements in science and practice in veterinary medicine based on a review of 1370 studies by 102 volunteer evidence evaluators.¹ The guidelines will be available in an open-access issue of Wiley’s Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care as well as the RECOVER Initiative website.

Some of the updates include¹:

• Enhanced chest compression techniques for cats and small dogs to optimize survival during cardiac arrest
• Adjustments to compression depths and techniques tailored to the animal’s size and chest shape to improve the effectiveness
• Revised breathing support methods for non-intubated patients with a focus on the safety of the rescuer.
• Updated medication dosages and procedures for more effective and precise treatment during CPR

“The 2024 RECOVER CPR Guidelines are the first veterinary clinical guidelines developed using a rigorous process known as GRADE. Most human clinical guideline organizations use this approach, including the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, which produces human CPR guidelines. We’re proud to continue RECOVER’s commitment to the highest standards for clinical practice across all species and are so grateful to the volunteers who helped make this happen,” explained Dan Fletcher, PhD, DVM, DACVEEC, co-chair of RECOVER Initiative.

Through these new guidelines, RECOVER Initiative hopes the RECOVER 2024 CPR Guidelines will improve the outcomes of veterinary patients who need CPR, mirroring advancements seen in the human medical field through the wide acceptance of evidence based CPR guidelines. Training courses and official certification processes combined with the guidelines share the importance of being prepared in case of an emergency, particularly within a general practitioner setting.

“Veterinary professionals from around the world have been highly anticipating the publishing of the updated guidelines. We are now working diligently on updating the online course materials, Rescuer certification workshop, and the Instructor certification process with the new information for the remainder of the year. Translations of the guidelines and course material into major languages are also planned so we can continue to serve the international community of veterinary professionals aiming for the highest standards,” Ken Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM), RECOVER Initiative program director told dvm360® exclusively.

The RECOVER Initiative wants both veterinary professionals and clients to embrace the updated guidelines immediately to ensure the best results for pets in an emergency. RECOVER Initiative disclosed that further guidelines on Newborn Resuscitation, Prevention and Preparedness, and First Aid are predicted to become available in the near future.

Reference

RECOVER Initiative Unveils Major Updates to Veterinary CPR Guidelines, Elevating Emergency Care for Pets. News release. Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation Initiative. June 26, 2024. Accessed June 27, 2024.