The Case for Early Defibrillation
Jan 02, 2016
The Case for Early Defibrillation
What is sudden cardiac arrest? Condition in which heart stops abruptly Usually caused by ventricular fibrillation
(abnormality in heart’s electrical system) Not the same as heart attack Results in death if not treated immediately
How common is SCA?
One of leading causes of death in U.S. At least 250,000 suffer SCA each year Median age of victim: 65 years, but affects
people of all ages, even teenagers
SCA: a public health crisis
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
Annual incidence
House fire
Prostate cancer
Breast cancer
Car accidents
Sudden cardiacarrest
How can SCA be treated?
Ideal treatment for most cases: Early CPR (cardiopulmonary
resuscitation) to keep heart viable until defibrillator arrives
Early defibrillation (delivery of electrical shocks with defibrillator)
Why is early defibrillation so important?
Chance of survival from SCA diminish 7-10% with every minute after collapse
Why is early defibrillation so important?
90%
64%59%
45%
34%
7%
20%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
Survival rate
Cardiacrehabcenters
Chicagoairports
Casinostudy
Rochester,MN
Seattle, WA
Nationalaverage
Realistictarget
Only 7% now survive 30% or more could
survive in community settings
If even 20% survive, 50,000 lives could be saved each year
Do you have to be medically trained to use defibrillator?
No. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are simple, safe and easy to use
Non-medical personnel can use AEDs with minimum of training
Who supports increased access to defibrillation? American College of Emergency
Physicians American Heart Association American Public Health Association American Red Cross Canadian Association of Emergency
Physicians Citizen CPR Foundation Emergency Care Research Institute Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada International Association of Chiefs of
Police International Association of Fire Chiefs
International Association of Fire Fighters International Liaison Committee on
Resuscitation National Association of EMS Physicians National Association of State EMS Directors National Association of State EMS Training
Coordinators, Inc. National Center for Early Defibrillation National Heart Lung and Blood Institute National Safety Council Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
Are AED programs cost-effective?
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
Medicalintervention costs
per year of lifesaved
Chemotherapyfor leukemia
Cholesterollowering drug
Heart transplant
Hypertensionscreening,treatment
Defibrillation
Cost of first responder AED programs over five years: $4,400 to $8,000 per year of life saved
Compares favorably with costs of other medical interventions
How you can help your community prepare for SCA Make sure local EMS, fire and police are
trained and equipped with defibrillators. Consider advocating on-site AED
programs in population centers that cannot be reached by emergency responders in less than five minutes
How you can help your community prepare for SCA Call 911 immediately in the case of
apparent emergencies. Learn CPR. Encourage your family
members, friends and neighbors to learn CPR.
Learn how to use an AED. Remember that the key to survival is
quick action.
How you can help your community prepare for SCA
Call 1-866 AED-INFO or visit www.early-defib.org for more information.