AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)
W. G. Franklin, M.D.
THE PROBLEM: SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST (VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION)
- There are 1.2 million heart attacks per year
500,0000 deaths result from the 1.2 million heart attacks - most of these deaths occur suddenly
- 80% of patients have no symptoms before the day of the heart attack
many collapse and die with no symptoms at all - the rescue squad (911) may arrive in 5 minutes to 10 minutes
- most of the time the damage is done by then
- across the nation only 5% of resuscitated people survive to walk home within 30 days
- widespread CPR instruction in Seattle results in 15% of resuscitated people making it home in this city!
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- not infrequently the rescue squad is able to get the heart beating normally again but the brain is already permanently damaged
TIMING IS EVERYTHING !
The GOAL: RAPID DEFRIBILLATION
- To get the heart beating normally again within 3 minutes