The Case for Early Defibrillation

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The Case for Early Defibrillation
2
What is sudden cardiac arrest?

• Condition in which heart stops abruptly
• Usually caused by ventricular fibrillation
  (abnormality in hearts electrical system)
• Not the same as heart attack
• Results in death if not treated immediately

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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

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SCA a public health crisis
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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)

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Why is early defibrillation so important?

• Chance of survival from SCA diminish 7-10 with
  every minute after collapse

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Why is early defibrillation so important?

• Only 7 now survive
• 30 or more could survive in community settings
• If even 20 survive, 50,000 lives could be saved
  each year

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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

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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

10
Are AED programs cost-effective?

• 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

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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

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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.

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How you can help your community prepare for SCA

• Call
• 1-866 AED-INFO
• or visit
• www.early-defib.org for more information.