Automated external defibrillators in public places: position statement from the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK

[Worldwide experience with automated external defibrillators: What have we achieved? What else can we expect?]

INTRODUCTION

In Germany approximately 70,000-100,000 SCD patients die from sudden cardiac death (SCD). SCD is not caused by a single factor but is a multifactorial problem. In 50 % of SCD victims, sudden cardiac death is the first manifestation of heart disease. SCD is caused by ventricular tachyarrhythmias in approximately 90 % of patients, whereas SCD is caused by bradyarrhythmias in 5-10 % of the patients.

METHODS

Risk stratification is not possible in the majority of them prior to the fatal event. Early defibrillation is the method of choice to terminate ventricular fibrillation. Therefore, it is mandatory to install automatic external defibrillators (AED) in places with many people. There is general agreement that early defibrillation with automated external defibrillators (AED) is an effective tool to treat patients with ventricular fibrillation and will improve survival.

CONCLUSION

It seems necessary to teach cardiocompression and AED use, also to children and adolescents. AED therapy "at home" did not improve survival in patients with cardiac arrest and can not be recommended.