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 What is an Automated External Defibrillator?
Unlike the models of defibrillators intended for use by health care
professionals (and the ones seen most often on tv), AEDs are designed to allow
trained laypersons to respond to cardiac emergencies. The devices are
programmed with the technology needed to analyze the hearts electrical
function. They also use voice prompts and screen displays to instruct the
user to attach electrodes and then stay clear while the AED analyzes the
patient's heart rhythm.
What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
SCA is usually caused by electrical
malfunction of the heart ventricular fibrillations (VF) - an ineffective
quivering of the heart muscle that makes it unable to pump blood through the
body. Once the blood stops circulating, a person quickly loses
consciousness and the ability to breathe, and will die without effective
treatment. The chance of survival drops 10 percent each passing
minute. After 10 minutes in cardiac arrest, a person's chance of survival
is only about 2 percent.
How common is Cardiac Arrest?
SCA strikes about 1,000 people a day in
the U.S. alone, as many as 1 million people a year worldwide. Tragically,
almost all of them will die, making SCA one of the leading causes of
death. Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, any time,
although some medical conditions can increase a person's risk of suffering
cardiac arrest.
What is the Treatment for Sudden Cardiac
Arrest?
The only effective treatment for cardiac
arrest is an electrical shock to the heart called defibrillation. The
electrical current can interrupt ventricular fibrillation (VF) and allow the
heart's normal rhythm to regain control. But defibrillation is effective
only if it is applied in time - preferably less than four minutes. Until
recently, defibrillators were available only in hospitals and some
ambulances. The manual defibrillators used by physicians, paramedics and
other health care professionals require extensive training. But a class
of devices known as automated external defibrillators (ADEs) will expand the
number of people who can supply this life-saving therapy.
Who can use AED?
AEDs are being used by police, firefighters, security officers, athletic
trainers, flight attendants and lifeguards in the US and around the
world. The devices are designed to be used by anyone who has completed a
short (usually about four hours) training course that covers both AED use and
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). More than 40 states currently
provide "Good Samaritan" immunity for AED users who have completed the required
training.
How safe are AEDs?
AEDs are very accurate and will not shock someone who is not in cardiac
arrest. When used properly and with appropriate precautions, AEDs pose no
risk to either the rescuer or the patient.
Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest the same as Heart
Attack?
No. A heart attack occurs when a
blood vessel feeding the heart itself is blocked by plaque or a blood
clot. In a heart attack, although the heart continues to beat,
irreversible damage to the heart muscle begins within 15 to 30 minutes.
The longer the blood flow is interrupted, the more extensive the damage
done. Treatment for heart attack includes angioplasty - using a tiny
balloon to widen blocked blood vessels - and "clot-busting" drugs known as
thrombolytics.
Is there increased Risk of Liability for
using AED?
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According to the AHA, no known judgments
have been rendered against the operator of an AED for negligent or improper use
of AEDs.
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"Liability claims associated with the
negligent operation of AEDs are mitigated by the difficulty in establishing
that the operator proximately caused harm to the victim... The AED
operator is attempting to resuscitate an individual who, absent the AED, will
likely remain dead." (Air & Space Lawyer, American Bar Association)
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By contrast, several recent cases indicate
that corporations may face liability for failing to have an AED available to
treat a victim of SCA.
Where can I get more information?
For more information on AED's, visit the following web sites:
Emergency First Aid Oxygen -
www.txo2.com
Automated External Defibrillators -
www.aedhelp.com or www.early-defib.org
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