What is a AED / Automated External Defibrillator
Automated External Defibrillators
The automated external defibrillator or AED is a portable electronic device used to treat patients in cardiac arrest. The AED’s purpose is to restore electrically a normal heart rhythm. If used correctly, the AED is a life-saving device because it
restores a normal rhythm to a heart that is in arrest. According to the American Heart Association, CPR rescue attempts using electric defibrillation or AED’s improves survival rates by as much as 49%.
Facts According to the American Heart Association (AMA)
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On an average day in the United States 1,000 adults die from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), a total of 350,000 per year. SCA is the result of an arrhythmia, where the electrical pulse of the heart goes out of control, causing the heart to quiver. Doctors don’t understand why this happens, but they do know that shocking the fibrillating heart is the only effective treatment.
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The American Heart Association estimates that 20,000 to 100,000 SCA deaths could be prevented each year if defibrillation was readily available. Electrical shock restores a heartbeat and circulation, but to survive neurologically intact, rescue must be swift.
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Defibrillation within the first minute of sudden cardiac arrest can save the lives of up to 90% of its victims. However, with each minute of delay until defibrillation, the survival rate drops by 10% (American Heart Association)
Heart attacks can cause ventricular fibrillation. In ventricular fibrillation, the lower chamber of the heart’s electrical impulses are uncoordinated and ineffective in pumping blood to other organs of the body.
An AED consists of a small computer (microprocessor), electrodes, and electrical circuitry. The electrodes collect information about the heart’s rhythm. The microprocessor interprets the rhythm. If the heart is in ventricular fibrillation, the microprocessor recommends a defibrillating shock. The shock is delivered by adhesive electrode pads, through the victim’s chest wall, and into the heart. The AED works in a similar fashion as re-booting a computer system. The system has crashed and is no longer functional, that’s when it needs to be restarted. Similarly, the heart in cardiac arrest has stopped and needs to re-start or reboot. The AED allows for such normal beating and electrical impulses.
Once the leads are attached to the patient, the AED will automatically assess the patient's heart rhythm, sense if a shock should be delivered, charge to the preset energy level, and deliver the shock to the patient. AED's have voice synthesizers to alert the rescuer and give instructions that typically include "Stop CPR", "Stand Back", and "Check Breathing and Pulse".
- If the defibrillator advises that a shock is needed it charges up and an alarm sounds when the machine is ready.
- Depending on the model it will automatically shock the victim or it may instruct you to manually shock. (may shock up to 3 times, 3rd shock is strongest)
There are some risks in using the AED such as skin burns, abnormal heart rhythms, and blood clots. The AED should never be used on someone who has a pulse or in a patient in or around water.
For a complete list of approved FDA devices, please visit: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/devicesatfda/index.cfm
- AED is a portable electronic device used to treat patients in cardiac arrest.
- AED’s improves survival rates by as much as 49%.
- Heart attacks can cause ventricular fibrillation.
- There are some risks in using the AED
