|
Automatic External Defibrillators: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming nearly 300,000 lives each year.1 SCA is a condition in which the heart stops functioning and is unable to pump blood to the rest of the body. The most common causes of SCA are ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). Ventricular tachycardia occurs when the electrical impulses in the heart become too rapid to effectively pump blood. Ventricular fibrillation occurs when the heart's electrical impulses become too chaotic to effectively pump blood. A heart attack (blockage of one or more of the heart's blood vessels) can also lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
What is the current treatment for SCA?
A series of four critical steps, called the "Cardiac Chain of Survival", has been identified for the treatment of SCA:
- Early access to care (i.e. calling 9-1-1 or local emergency number)
- Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Early defibrillation
- Early institution of advanced cardiac life support (by trained professionals)
A break in any of the four links in the chain can compromise the victim's chance for survival; however, early defibrillation is recognized as the most critical step in restoring a normal cardiac rhythm and resuscitating a victim of SCA.
What is CPR?
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions delivered to persons thought to be in cardiac arrest.
What is defibrillation?
Defibrillation is the treatment of irregular, sporadic or absent heart rhythms by an electrical current to the heart. It is the only definitive treatment for (SCA). Defibrillation administered within four minutes after a collapse is most successful. Every minute a victim is unconscious translates to approximately a ten percent decrease in the likelihood of resuscitation. After ten minutes, very few resuscitation attempts are successful. Thus, the most important element in the treatment of SCA is providing rapid defibrillation therapy. CPR may help prolong the window of survival, but it cannot reverse SCA.
What is the American Red Cross doing to increase public awareness of AEDs?
In addition to being the leading training agency for First Aid, CPR and AED information and skills, the Red Cross is committed to strengthening existing state and federal legislation that extends the reach of AEDs in the community. For the last several years, the American Red Cross has championed legislation to increase public access to defibrillation.
If treatment for SCA exists, why are survival rates so low?
Time. Only 1 out of 20 SCA victims survives - though many of these lives could be saved through early defibrillation. With a brief window of opportunity for effective treatment, it is vital that responders reach the victim and defibrillate within the first ten minutes of SCA. The only way that this can occur is for AEDs to be readily available throughout the country and for responders, both lay and professional, to be trained in CPR and AED use. The American Red Cross specializes in such training.
Is a medical director needed to purchase an AED?
In Montana, individuals or organizations require medical oversight from a physician, a physician's assistant, or a registered nurse in order to purchase an AED.
What is the relationship between the American Red Cross and AED manufacturers?
To help the American Red Cross meet its mission of saving lives, agreements have been established with AED manufacturers to allow the Montana Red Cross the opportunity to facilitate the purchase of AED units and provide CPR and AED training to customers.
Could a responder deliver an unnecessary shock?
An AED is designed to allow the operator to deliver a shock only when the device has detected the presence of a life-threatening arrhythmia, and with some AEDs, the device will detect the need to provide a shock and then proceed to administer it.
Are AEDs easily portable?
Yes. An AED is about the size of a laptop computer or smaller. It is light and easy to carry.
How much does an AED cost?
An AED costs about the same amount as a new laptop computer.
How can I purchase an AED through the American Red Cross?
Download and return to us an AED Inquiry Form, or call 1-800-ARC-MONT and ask to speak to the Health & Safety Director.
How can I get trained in Red Cross certified CPR, AED, and First Aid courses?
Go to our Take a Class page.
1 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Fact Sheet. March 2009. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. http://associationdatabase.com/aws/SCAA/asset_manager/get_file/6058/fact_sheet-automated_external_defibrillators.pdf
|
