ABSTRACT
Justification
Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) is a proposed mechanism by which states hope to improve their survival rates for OHCA. There is little information regarding layperson efficacy on improving outcomes when trained to use automated external defibrillators (AED).
Objective
The City Council of New York proposed a bill requiring the placement of AEDs in all public places, based on reported increased survival rates when AEDs were placed in emergency response vehicles. Our goal is to review the current medical literature regarding impact of AED placement and Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) on OHCA survival rates.
Methods
MEDLINE literature search using the keywords cardiac arrest, heart arrest, public access defibrillation, automated external defibrillators, from 1989-present, excluding studies outside of the United States.
Results
No prospective studies addressed the impact on survival rates of AED placement in public places or when utilized by laypersons. Several studies demonstrated an association between increased survival rates and decreased response time to first defibrillatory shock, decreased response time to initiation of CPR, and treatment by "nontraditional" first responders. Poorer survival rates were noted in large cities, and where response times to CPR and defibrillation were prolonged.
Significance
Information regarding efficacy of AED placement in public places and at the hands of lay persons in scarce. Future efforts should focus on studying PAD efficacy in laypersons, analyzing cardiac arrest survival in large cities, and improving all four links in the American Heart Association's "Chain of Survival."
Learning Objectives: After reviewing the poster, the participant will be able to: 1. Discuss the American Heart Association's "Chain of Survival" concept 2. Discuss the current medical literature surrounding efficacy of Public Access Defibrillation on different levels 3. Identify the applicability of the statistical findings to current Public Access Defibrillation programs. TEACHING OBJECTIVES: 1. Discuss current research on the impact of Public Access Defibrillation on ventricular fibrillation survival rates. 2. Articulate the various factors contributing to cardiac arrest survival rates. 3. Describe possible solutions for improving survival rates among cardiac arrest victims on a local level
Keywords: Cardiorespiratory, Treatment Outcomes
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.