RECOVER
CPR Registry

Understanding the RECOVER CPR Registry

The Epidemiology of Veterinary CPR

A registry is a structured, health-related database that captures demographic and clinical information on individual animals for a defined purpose. Unlike observational or interventional studies, which typically address specific short-term research questions, registries enable standardized, longitudinal data collection across diverse populations.

The RECOVER initiative established the RECOVER CPR Registry to systematically collect epidemiological data on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in dogs and cats. Historically, veterinary CPR data have been derived largely from single-center observational studies, limiting external validity. Given the marked heterogeneity of veterinary patient populations, datasets comprising several thousand cases are required to reliably identify associations between patient characteristics (e.g., age, sex, arrest rhythms, co-morbidities), treatment variables (e.g., CPR duration, interventions), and clinically meaningful outcomes.

Important questions can be answered with registry data. For example, defining the relationship between CPR duration and outcomes such as return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to discharge, and neurological function has immediate implications for decision-making during resuscitation. Additional lines of inquiry include the impact of financial constraints on outcomes, the role of thoracic conformation, and the effect of specific interventions on survival and recovery. In this way, the RECOVER CPR Registry serves as a critical engine for advancing evidence-based small animal resuscitation. Since its inception, multiple studies and reports have leveraged registry data to expand the scientific foundation of veterinary CPR.

The RECOVER CPR Registry is built in accordance with Utstein-style reporting guidelines, ensuring consistency and comparability of data. Variables are categorized as core—those essential for meaningful analysis (e.g., species, survival outcomes)—and supplemental, which may be less consistently available or are primarily intended for hypothesis generation. Examples of supplemental variables include end-tidal CO₂ (EtCO₂) measurements and time to first epinephrine administration.

To facilitate high-quality data capture, the RECOVER case report form employs standardized data elements and harmonized terminology. In addition, the RECOVER CPR app (RECOVER CPR Coach on App Store or Google Play) enables real-time data entry on a phone or tablet and allows contributors to upload cases directly and securely to the registry.

Registry data are collected and managed using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) electronic data capture tools hosted at the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, CU Anschutz, Aurora, CO.  REDCap is a secure platform that supports decentralized data entry via computer or tablet. All submitted cases undergo systematic review by dedicated data quality personnel to ensure accuracy and completeness. Registry data are accessible to contributors for hypothesis-driven research following submission and approval of a formal application.

Oversight of the registry is provided by the RECOVER Registry Subcommittee, which is responsible for its ongoing development, governance, and scientific integrity. The registry currently includes more than 2,000 cases of cardiopulmonary arrest in dogs and continues to grow. Hospitals interested in contributing can submit expressions of interest, which are reviewed on a rolling basis.