AED's Ireland

Cardiac Arrest Registries

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Cardiac arrest registries can provide valuable information on the demographics of those whosuffer a cardiac emergency, on the circumstances of the collapse, on the emergency responseand on outcomes. Registry data can estimate the likely incidence of cardiac arrests requiringresponse by the EMS. Registries however underestimate the total number of SCDs as they donot include arrests that were not witnessed. Neither do they include events for which nocardiac arrest is called, for example in sudden collapse of someone with other seriousmorbidity.

Death certificate data and data compiled by the EMS were analysed for the State ofWashington in the year 2000.17 There were 3,577 deaths from cardiac disease in thispopulation of nearly 2 million. The EMS responded to 39% of all heart disease deaths,representing 57% of out-of-hospital events (including 128 people who were successfullyresuscitated and discharged from hospital).

Using multiple sources of information, SCD incidence was 53 per 100 000 (median [central]age 69 years, 57% male) in 2002 in Multnomah County in Oregon, representing 6% ofannual mortality.18 Resuscitation was attempted in two-thirds of cases and 8% survived tohospital discharge. One in five cases was identified using sources other than first responders.

A retrospective analysis of death certificates for 2002 using ICD-10 codes and location ofdeath gave an estimated SCD rate of 153 per 100,000 (median age 81, 51% male) whichwould have greatly overestimated the required EMS response.

The Helsinki Cardiac Arrest Registry reported an incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of 80 per 100,000 inhabitants per year between 1994 and 1999.19 A similar rate (9.2 / 10,000)was reported for 1997 – 2000 by the Maastricht Circulatory Arrest Registry.20 Sudden deathrepresented 19% of all deaths.

If, as in Washington State, the EMS in Ireland respond to 39% of all cardiac deaths, thiswould have corresponded to 3,169 such deaths in 2002, or 81 per 100,000 population, similarto rates reported by other North European countries.

There have been several studies of the circumstances of sudden collapse. The Belfast study ofout-of-hospital deaths in 2003 – 2004 used multiple sources of information to identifySCDs.

There were 297 such deaths in 12 months, 66% of which were in men. The meanage was 68 years (65 in men and 72 in women). The majority, 78%, occurred at home, 16%were in a public place and the remainder in a nursing home; 93% were attended by theEMS. The mean ‘call to response’ interval was 8 minutes and 27% were in ventricularfibrillation (VF) when the EMS arrived. This was higher (53%) in witnessed arrests. In thoseattended by the EMS, nearly one in ten were resuscitated to reach hospital alive and 7%survived to hospital discharge.

Several studies have examined the factors associated with successful resuscitation. Whenresuscitation was attempted in the Helsinki Registry, fifty-seven patients (17%) survived todischarge.20 Nearly one-third survived when collapse was bystander witnessed and thediagnosis was cardiac arrest with VF as the initial rhythm.

The Swedish Cardiac Arrest Registry found the following factors influenced the likelihood ofsurvival at 1 month: an initial rhythm of VF, shorter time to arrival by the EMS (below themedian i.e. better than the response time in the middle when ordered sequentially), arrestoccurring outside the home, arrest which was witnessed, one where bystander CPR wasinitiated and in younger (below the median) people.

In Seattle, Washington, the annual incidence of cardiac arrest with VF as the first identified rhythm decreased from 0.85 per 1,000 population in 1980 to 0.38 per 1,000 in the year2000.The Swedish Cardiac Arrest Registry reported that between 1992 and 2003 the meanage of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests increased from 68 to 70 years and percentage offemales increased from 29% to 32%.25 There was a decrease in cases of cardiac origin from75% to 61% and a decrease from 36% to 25% of arrests with VF as the initial rhythm. Thesechanges reflect the changing patterns of mortality in many developed countries, withdecreasing death rates and a smaller proportion of deaths being attributed to cardiovasculardisease.

Some studies of cardiac arrest use data from cardiac arrest registries; others add supplementary data from other sources. The case definition for registration may vary, toinclude all cases of sudden collapse or only those cases where resuscitation was attempted.The International Resuscitation Network registry aims to study emergency response andoutcomes.
Audit of emergency response in Ireland will be facilitated by the establishment of a cardiac arrest registry, with data collection to international standards. Chapter 6 of this report considers information systems and surveillance, and makes recommendations toimprove the collection of data relevant to SCD in Ireland.

Post-mortem studies

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Several retrospective autopsy (post-mortem) series have been reported. These do not include SCDs where a general practitioner (GP) certified (without a post-mortem) a patient with known CHD who died suddenly as having died, for example, of a ‘myocardial infarct’. This is usually done with the knowledge of the coroner.

The Report of the Task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death Chapter 2

In one series in the UK, 692 SCD autopsy results were analysed for white Caucasians between 16 and 64 years of age with no history of cardiac disease. Eighty-two per cent of deaths were due to CHD and 12% had other cardiac pathology. Of the remainder, 2% had a history of some other condition but in 4% no cause of death could be identified. The annual rate of SCD (including unidentified causes) in this population was 11 per 100,000.

A study in Belfast identified SCDs from EMS and autopsy reports. There were autopsy reports for 37% of cases.8 In the autopsy group, 60% had no known history of cardiac disease but severe coronary artery disease was found in 94%.

Nearly 2,000 reports were analysed of post-mortems at Connolly Hospital, Dublin between January 1987 and December 2001.9 Of these, 777 (69% male, 31% female) were performed because of sudden, unexpected, out-of-hospital death occurring within 1 hour of symptom onset. The underlying cause of death was cardiac in 608 subjects (78%). In these, a possible mechanical cause of death was found in 28%, therefore an arrhythmia was the presumed mechanism of death in 72%.

There has been particular interest in the findings at post-mortem of SCD in young people. In a retrospective series looking at 72 SCDs under 35 years of age in Dublin between 1993 and 2002, death was most frequently attributed to CHD, followed by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (24% of deaths). Patients with congenital heart disease and those younger than 10 years of age were excluded from this study.

Between 1992 and 1999 the Swedish national database of forensic medicine recorded 181 cases of SCD in the 15 to 35 year age group, 73% male and 27% female.11 The incidence rate of 0.93 / 100,000 was stable over time. A cardiomyopathy was found in 23%, CHD in 18% and myocarditis in 11%. No structural cardiac abnormality was found in 21%.

An autopsy series of 193 cases of SCD aged 35 or younger in Sydney, Australia between 1994 and 2002 found CHD in 24%, cardiomyopathy in 15% and myocarditis in 12%. No structural abnormality was found in 31% and death was presumed to be due to a disorder leading to a fatal cardiac arrhythmia. Approximately 5% of SCDs are unexplained, and no structural abnormality is found at postmortem.

The proportion rises to 20 – 30% in those under the age of 35 years. The percentage in whom no structural abnormality is found is higher in young women than in young men, 50% compared to 24% in one series of cases in the 35 to 44 year age group in the US.14 In the 28% of cases in whom no structural abnormality was found in an Italian series of cases aged 35 or younger, two-thirds were men and one-third women. A genetic factor can be identified in only a small proportion of cases at present but it is expected that this will increase with the identification of further gene defects.

The Royal College of Pathologists has published guidelines on autopsy practice in sudden
death with likely cardiac pathology.16 The contribution of specialist cardiac pathologists to
the surveillance of SCD in Ireland is discussed in Section 6.2 of this report.

Death certificate data

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In the United States an analysis of death certificates estimated that the overall SCD rate in 1999 was 3 per 100,000 from birth to age 34 (3,976 deaths), 75 per 100,000 (78,456 deaths) in the 35 to 64 year age group and 1,100 per 100,000 (379,869 deaths) in those aged 65 years or older.4 Of all SCDs in 1998 in those aged 35 or over, CHD was the underlying cause on 62% of death certificates.

The analyses in the US found that 63% of all cardiac deaths were SCDs, occurring out-ofhospital (47%), or in emergency departments or ‘dead on arrival’ (16%), with almost all of the remaining cardiac deaths occurring as non-sudden deaths in hospital.4 SCD accounted for 74% of all cardiac deaths in the 35 to 44 year age group, 73% in those 45 to 54, 66% in those 55 to 64, 58% in those 65 to 74 and 69% in those aged 85 or over.5 Between 1989 and 1998, rates of SCD in those aged over 35 years decreased by 12% in men and by 6% in women.

According to the CSO, 11,652 people died of diseases of the circulatory system in 2002 in Ireland (10,608 in 2004), including 8,126 deaths attributed to cardiac causes.* Assuming that, as in the United States, 63% of cardiac deaths are SCDs, this would translate into 5,119 such deaths in Ireland in 2002. Apart from this method of estimation, it is not possible at present to obtain the number of SCDs from Irish vital statistics reports.

In Ireland data on all deaths is collected by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), on the basis of medical certificates and death registration information collected by local Registrars’ Offices or on the basis of Coroners’ report forms. Death rates for a particular condition are estimated from the information recorded on death certificates and subsequently coded by the CSO. This information is subject to inaccuracies for a variety of reasons. For many causes of death the data are sufficiently accurate for the purposes of identifying high risk groups, tracking trends and planning health services. The nature of SCD makes it more subject to misclassification than other causes of death.

Currently the CSO is using the Ninth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Code 410 (acute myocardial infarction) is the most frequently used code when SCD occurs. The code for ‘cardiac arrest’ or ‘cardiorespiratory arrest’, code 427 is not used in this country, though 463 deaths in 2002 were coded as 427, ‘cardiac dysrhythmias’. Code 798, sudden death, cause unknown, was used for 48 deaths in that year.
The CSO has informed the Task Force that it plans to introduce ICD Version 10 for coding cause of death. This version has a specific code for Sudden Cardiac Death (146.1). Relevant ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes are listed in Appendix 3.

Attempting to quantify the incidence of SCD without a specific code is unsatisfactory. Instructions to those completing a death certificate do not allow use of the term SCD. Instructions on death certificates in Ireland forbid recording the mode of death, such as cardiac arrest. Instead, the certifier must state the underlying cause e.g. acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

For the purposes of completing death certificates from which national statistics are compiled, SCD is therefore coded according to its likely underlying cause, including AMI, coronary thrombosis, angina, heart failure, pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs), ruptured aortic aneurysm (a split in the wall of the main blood vessel from the heart), or myocarditis (infection of the muscle of the heart). A post-mortem is not carried out in all cases and so a ‘best guess’ may be made as to the underlying cause of death. Even where a post-mortem is carried out, there may be difficulty in identifying the cause of death.

With the introduction of ICD-10 it will be possible to estimate the total number of SCDs from death certificate data. In calculating the number of SCD cases it will be important to exclude victims who were not actively resuscitated because of end stage disease. These cases are not relevant to planning emergency medical services in the community.

A number of countries such as the USA, France and Italy, now include a ‘tick box’ to record cardiac arrest on the death certificate. Similar information for this country would contribute to planning and evaluation of pre-hospital and hospital care of cardiac arrest, as well as the prevention of SCD. Death certificate data will not include those who survive a cardiac arrest. Although this number is currently small, it is likely to grow over the coming years. Such data could be collected in a cardiac arrest registry (see Sections 2.2.3 and 6.4).

Epidemiology of SCD

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SCD is defined as death due to natural causes within an hour of the onset of symptoms, in
the absence of any other cause, and assumed or proven to have a cardiac cause.2,3 Preexisting
heart disease may have been known to be present but the time and mode of death
are unexpected. The death may be witnessed or not witnessed.

There are three sources of information on the incidence of SCD and its underlying causes :

• death certificate and death register data
• post-mortem studies, and
• cardiac arrest registries.

Death certificate data is collected routinely and has the potential to provide information on
trends over time and to facilitate international comparisons. Analysis of post-mortem results
can provide more detailed information on the underlying pathology. Cardiac arrest registries
provide information on the circumstances of the collapse and the underlying heart rhythm,
on the emergency response and on outcomes.

How to do CPR and use an AED

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQbcUinI3Hk

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association on AED's

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11/02/2007 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS

AEDs play a critical role in the "Chain Of Survival" which can help save the lives of victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The Chain of Survival is a four-step intervention process developed by the American Heart Association.

Early Access ? First, as soon as an emergency is recognized, call 9-1-1.

Early CPR ? The critical link that buys time between the first link (call 9-1-1) and the third link (use the AED). Begin Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Early Defibrillation ? Most sudden cardiac arrest victims are in ventricular fibrillation (VF). Use an AED to Treat VF.

Early Advanced Care ? The fourth is advanced care provided by highly trained EMS personnel called paramedics.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device used to administer an electric shock to the heart and restore the heart's normal rhythm during Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

Ventricular Fibrillation (VF), the abnormal heart rhythm that most often leads to Sudden Cardiac Arrest, is treatable. If the heart can be shocked quickly with an AED, a normal heart rhythm may be restored.

In the past, defibrillators were complicated and cumbersome. Only medical professionals with extensive training in heart rhythm interpretation could use them. Today, defibrillators used in public places and in the home are automated, portable and easy to use. They are no longer limited to emergency rooms; and are now placed in airports, schools, gyms, and other public places, and most recently in homes.

An AED consists of a small computer (microprocessor), electrical circuitry and adhesive electrode pads. 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 way of the electrode pads, through the victim's chest wall, and into the heart. The shock stuns the heart momentarily, stopping all activity. This gives the heart a chance to restart normal electrical activity and resume beating effectively.

It is essential that defibrillation be administered immediately following the cardiac arrest. If the heart does not return to a regular rhythm within 5-7 minutes, this fibrillation could be fatal. If defibrillated within the first minute of collapse, the victim's chances for survival are close to 90%. For every minute that defibrillation is delayed, survival decreases by 7 percent to 10 percent. If it is delayed by more than 10 minutes, the chance of survival in adults is less than 5 percent.

Public Access to Defibrillation

Numerous scientific studies conducted during the past two decades have proven that rapid defibrillation is the single most important factor affecting survival from Sudden Cardiac Arrest in adults. This research, coupled with important technological advances, has driven an international movement to increase access to early defibrillation.

In order to have AEDs available more quickly for persons who need them, some facilities (such as hotels, airports, country clubs, schools etc.) are purchasing these devices under what is called a Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program. Since AEDs are prescription devices and must be labeled with the prescription statement required by law (CFR 801.109), a physician who oversees the PAD program at a facility must write a prescription for most AEDs in order for the facility to purchase it. This is easily accomplished and there are many who are willing to help you start a PAD program.

Public Access refers to accessibility for trained users to use AEDs in public places. While AEDs are now very simple to use and many untrained laypersons have used them successfully, it is best to assure that trained personnel are always on site (at locations where this is feasible). A trained user does not necessarily mean trained medical personal but also refers to laypersons with AED training.

New recommendations by the HSE on Sudden Cardiac Arrest

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New recommending on Sudden Cardiac DeathThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has released an update of its progress in dealing with recommendations from the Sudden Cardiac Death Report launched earlier this year by the Minister for Health Mary Harney

The creation of a new risk assessment questionnaire for sportspeople, the devising of ‘First Responder’ schemes and the establishment of two family screening clinics for those deemed at high risk of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) are some of the progress points recommended by the HSE in the 2006 Sudden Cardiac Death Report Reducing the Risk: A Strategic Approach.

The Sudden Cardiac Death Report was launched in March 2006 by Mary Harney TD, Minister for Health and Children. The HSE has the responsibility to lead on its implementation in conjunction with interested organizations, groups and individuals.

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is defined as death due to natural causes within an hour of the onset of symptoms, in the absence of any other cause, and assumed to have a cardiac cause.
There are approximately 5,000 SCDs in Ireland annually. The majority of SCDs occur from late middle age onwards as a result of coronary heart disease. Over the past few years there has been increasing awareness of sudden death in young adults, including sudden deaths in high profile athletes.

The majority of these younger SCD cases are due to a number of pre-existing cardiac abnormalities along with infection, blunt trauma and drug use.
The SCD Report has a total of 75 recommendations of which 48 are ‘immediate’, that is requiring to be commenced by the end of 2006.

The SCD implementation group is concentrating on ensuring implementation of the 48 ‘immediate’ recommendations in the following areas: Reducing time to response (to a cardiac arrest); systematic assessment of those engaged in sports and exercise; detection and assessment of those at high risk of Sudden Cardiac Death; and surveillance and audit.

An SCD implementation steering group comprising the HSE, the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) has met on a number of occasions to progress the report recommendations under the chairmanship of Dr Siobhan Jennings, Consultant in Public Health Medicine. In the first phase of work the areas targeted were: responder development; SCD risk assessment in sports and exercise; work with coroners, pathologists and CSO; and addressing communication of resulting work.

Dr Jennings emphasised the importance of inter-agency cooperation on this strategy.
“While the HSE has overall responsibility for implementing the report’s recommendations, it is evident that other organisations, both statutory and non-statutory, have an important role to play and these organisations and individuals contributed immensely to the progress to date,” she said.
Progress in the four areas:

1. Reducing time to response (to a cardiac arrest):

First Responder template: This guide has been prepared to give information and advice for those planning to set up First Responder programmes.

Co-ordinators and resuscitation training personnel: 11 new HSE positions to assist in the development of priority First Responder programmes (One national pre-hospital First Responder coordinator, four HSE area pre-hospital First Responder coordinators, six pre-hospital resuscitation training officers).

Funding for the MERIT project: (HSE, PHECC) targeting training in immediate response to cardiac and trauma events for GPs and practice nurses in conjunction with ambulance personnel.
Programme through UCD Dept of General Practice.

To date, over 300 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have been supplied to attending GPs.

Initiation of uniformed First Responder pilot projects such as Gardaí and fire service.
Guidance for purchasing AEDs carried out through MERIT and Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC).

Education and training standards across six levels of response from cardiac First Responder to advanced paramedic.

Development of Cardiac First Response Report (CFRR): Developed by PHECC for documenting out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in conjunction with the establishment of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest register.

Spatial analysis research by PHECC using HSE ambulance response time data to analyse demand and guide deployment of ambulance resources, minimising response times and maximizing the effectiveness of response (completed in the north west).

Agreed signage for AEDs.

2. Systematic assessment of those engaged in sports and exercise:

Risk assessment questionnaire being finalised for those contemplating participation in sports and exercise in the context of exercise being good for mental and physical wellbeing. The group offered comment/advice during the development of the GAA’s risk assessment questionnaire.
Guidelines for GPs: To assist them deal with queries about risk assessment and its follow up.

3. Detection and assessment of those at high risk of Sudden Cardiac Death:

Improved toxicology response to coroners request: Applying to the case of SCD in young people, resulting in reduced time to informing and testing families as appropriate.

Ongoing analyses of Central Statistics Office (CSO) data on prevalence of sudden death in young people in Ireland.

Study of post mortem data: Investigating the causes of SCDs in Ireland in people ages under-35 (2005).

Development of protocols: Via the Coroners Society of Ireland, for coroners on informing GPs and families of SCDs.

Establishment of two SCD family screening clinics: Family Heart Screening Clinic, Mater Heart House Dublin.

Defibtech news

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Defibtech Ranked First in Medical Equipment Industry,

Seventh in North America in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 Program

16,286 percent revenue growth earns high industry and national rankings, as well as Number 1 ranking in Connecticut

Guilford, Conn. – October 23, 2007 —

Defibtech, LLC – a leading designer and manufacturer of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) – has been ranked first in the medical equipment industry and seventh in North America in Deloitte's prestigious Technology Fast 500 Program,
a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, and life sciences companies by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, one of the nation’s leading professional services organizations.

Defibtech achieved 16,286 percent revenue growth over five years from 2002–2006 to earn the Fast 500 ranking. Last week, Deloitte announced Defibtech’s Number 1 ranking in the Connecticut Technology Fast 50.Rapid growth highlights success of Defibtech’s mission: to save lives with defibrillators

Defibtech's CEO Dr. Glenn W. Laub said Defibtech's rapid growth shows the success of the company's mission: to save the lives of victims of sudden cardiac arrest with AEDs. "By making affordable and easy-to use defibrillators, we have saved hundreds, if not thousands, of lives around the world. That's what's most satisfying about our growth," Dr. Laub said. Over the past five years, more than 50,000 Defibtech's Lifeline™ and ReviveR™ defibrillators have been deployed in public access areas, workplaces, police and fire vehicles, schools and churches, health clubs, and other locations through distribution partners worldwide.

AEDs revive victims of sudden cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation. Health experts estimate that sudden cardiac arrest kills more than 400,000 people each year in the United States alone – more deaths than are caused by gun violence, traffic accidents, AIDS, and breast and prostate cancer combined.Defibtech's privately held corporate structure merges innovation with efficiency

Dr. Laub co-founded Defibtech with a fellow Yale graduate, Defibtech President Gintaras Vaisnys, using seed money from private investors. Defibtech remains a privately held company today, a trend reflected by the overall Fast 500 results. According to Deloitte, eight of the top 10 companies and 15 of the top 20 are privately held, a complete reversal in both the top 10 and top 20 from five years ago.

The company's first offices were above a pizza parlor in Guilford; it has since relocated to greatly expanded corporate headquarters in Guilford. When introduced five years ago, the Defibtech AED revolutionized the AED marketplace. The device had many features better than other AEDs but cost only about half as much. "Defibtech changed the rules of the game," Vaisnys said. "Because we were able to successfully drive down costs, we put a $1,500 AED on the market when other AEDs cost $3,000 to $4,000."

Defibtech's decision to market its product only through distribution partners helped the company to achieve profitability quickly and compete for business around the world. "We don’t compete with our own distributors by selling our product directly to end-users," Vaisnys said. This business model led to major deployments including the 2006 Winter Olympic Games; statewide programs in Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico; and numerous corporate and public access installations. Today, Defibtech AEDs are deployed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe; in China, India, the Middle East and other parts of Asia; and in Australia, South America and Africa.AED design recognized with many awards
The Defibtech AED has earned several major awards, including the Best Bang for the Buck Award, from Frost & Sullivan, an AED industry analyst. The AED's outstanding design was recognized by The Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA), which selected the Lifeline to be in its "SAFE: Design Takes On Risk" exhibit. The Defibtech AED also received the Medical Design Excellence Award, presented by Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine, and the Industrial Design Excellence Award, presented by the Industrial Designers Society of America and Business Week magazine.

To qualify for the Technology Fast 500, companies must have had operating revenues of at least $50,000 in 2002 and $5,000,000 in 2006, be headquartered in North America, and be a company that owns proprietary technology or proprietary intellectual property that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues; or devotes a significant proportion of revenues to the research and development of technology.

Companies from the 16 regional Technology Fast 50 programs in the United States and Canada are automatically entered in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 program. For more information on Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 or Technology Fast 500 programs, visit www.fast500.com.

About Defibtech

Defibtech relentlessly pursues one goal: making the best automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the world at affordable prices. Defibtech designs and manufactures the FDA-approved Lifeline™ and ReviveR™ brand AEDs and related accessories. Defibtech's products are sold through its network of distribution partners in the United States and around the world.

Research studies in to AED's.

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Research Studies

The following are summaries of significant articles published about the efficacy of AEDs in public spaces. The complete articles are available through the publishers at the links listed at the end of each summary.

Public-Access Defibrillation and Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest New England Journal of Medicine, ©2004 Massachusetts Medical SocietyMore than 19,000 volunteer responders from nearly 1,000 community-based units participated in this nationwide study.

The results showed the effectiveness of training non-medical, volunteer laypersons to use AEDs. Working within structured response systems, the volunteers increased the number of survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in public locations.

This study showed that having automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in police cars improved response times and survival from sudden cardiac arrest. Times from 9-1-1 contact to the emergency scene were compared for police cars with AEDs and concurrently deployed EMS, and both were compared to historical EMS experience. Survival with joint police AED and EMS response was compared to outcomes when EMS was the sole responder.

Police arrived first to 56 percent of the calls.

A 17.2 percent survival rate for victims with shockable rhythms was observed with the police cars and EMS both responding, compared to 9 percent for standard EMS before police AEDs were implemented. This study demonstrated that AEDs deployed in well-marked and accessible public areas in airports were used effectively to aid people who suffered cardiac arrest. Most of those using the AEDs to treat victims had no duty to act or training in the use of AEDs.

Maintenance of Defibtech

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Maintenance Questions:

How often must I change batteries?

Answer: The Defibtech AED comes with a lithium battery pack that is available in a 5 or 7-year size. If the unit is used frequently, the battery pack may have to be replaced more often. The AED will inform the user when the battery pack needs to be replaced.

Q: What else do I need to do to keep my AED in working order?

A: The pad package must be replaced every two years. Otherwise, the AED performs automatic self-checks on a regular basis to test its operational readiness. If anything is not fully functional, the unit will make a loud chirp and flash a red light warning the owner that servicing may be required. Buying an AED

Q: Can anyone buy an AED?

A: Anyone can buy an AED. The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) rules require a physician's prescription (AEDs are manufactured and sold under guidelines approved by the Food and Drug Administration) before the Lifeline AED can be delivered.

Q: What features should I look for in an AED?

A: Look for
1) an AED that is easy for non-medical people to use,
2) an AED that is technically reliable, and
3) one that is reasonably priced. Defibtech's AED more than meets all three requirements.

Q: Why is the Defibtech AED better than other AEDs?

A: Defibtech designed the unit from the ground up, building on a foundation of previous AED-related knowledge and incorporating a number of design and technological innovations. As a result, the Defibtech AED is a state-of-the-art defibrillator designed for the non-medical person. Advanced design techniques and robotic assembly allow Defibtech to sell their AED at the lowest price in the market.

Q: What is your warranty?

A: The Defibtech AED is warranteed for five years.

Awards Presented to Defibtech

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Sudden Cardiac Death Facts!

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Sudden Cardiac Death Facts

What is sudden cardiac death (SCD)? The heart has an inbuilt electrical system, which makes it work. If this is interrupted, the heart cannot pump enough blood around the body. Without a supply of blood pumped by the heart the brain can’t function, the victim faints and death follows within minutes. If treated quickly with an electric shock delivered by an AED, normal heart rhythm can often be restored (the survival rates decreases by 10% per minute).

A SCD may be the first sign that the victim has had of a heart problem. In many cases, no definite cause of death can be found, even at autopsy. These deaths are thought to be caused by an arrhythmia and are labelled a Sudden Arrhythmic Death (SADS).

What causes SCD? SCD can be caused by a number of different heart problems, many of which are inherited. Some of these conditions include:

Coronary heart disease (CHD) - narrowing of the blood vessels in the heart. CHD affects young people as well as older people.

Cardiomyopathy (hypertrophic & dilated) - heart muscle problems.
Heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmia), such as Long QT Syndrome* & Brugada Syndrome*.
Diseases of the heart valves

Disease of the heart’s electrical system short-circuiting the normal pathways between the different chambers of the heart, such as Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome*.
Other causes of SCD include electrocution, viral infection (Myocarditis*), blow to the chest and adverse reaction to drugs (legal & illegal).
Is SCD the same as a Heart Attack No, but SCD may occur during the course of a heart attack. A heart attack is caused by the sudden blockage of a heart artery, which may lead to sudden cardiac death.

You may be at risk, if you have:

A family history of unexplained death (including cot death) in people under 35 years old.

Breathlessness on effort.

Chest pain on effort.

Dizziness, fainting and blackouts of unknown cause

Fast heart rate that comes and goes, even when you are resting.

Palpitations* due to an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia*).

If you have any of these symptoms, you should speak to your doctor (GP). Investigations for possible heart problems include:

Medical examination including questions about your family’s medical history.
ECG* (electrocardiogram) & Echo* (echocardiogram). These tests are painless and non-invasive.

Other tests may be needed

Most of the conditions which cause sudden cardiac death can be treated.

100 or more people under 35 years die on the island of Ireland each year from sudden cardiac death.

Athletes & non-athletes are at risk.

One in 500 people have a gene which may lead to a condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy* (HCM), a heart-muscle problem, which if undiagnosed can cause SCD.

Does taking part in sport cause SCD? No. Sport and physical activity is good for your heart. However if a person has a serious, undetected heart problem, over-exertion during sport can act as a trigger for sudden cardiac arrest and possible death.

When a person’s heart stops, can anything help? Yes. The chain of survival has 4 links that need to be made quickly to give the best chance of survival.

1. Get help, dial 112 (the new emergency phone number that replaces 999)

2. Perform CPR, which helps pump blood to the brain & other body organs.

3. Defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) delivers an electric shock to the heart. This is the only action that can restore a normal heartbeat rhythm.

4. Advanced care by a medical team.

Families When Sudden Cardiac Death occurs, other close relatives may also be at risk. A post-mortem examination is vital to identify the cause of death, to help determine if the death was due to an inherited condition and to help assess possible risks to other family members. The coroner, pathologist and family doctor all have important roles in this investigation.

Definitions:

AED (Automated External Defibrillator): A machine that delivers an electric shock to help restore a normal heart rhythm. Members of the public can be trained to use AEDs.

Arrhythmia: Abnormal heart beat. The heart may beat too quickly, too slowly or in an irregular way.

Brugada Syndrome: An inherited disorder related to the membranes of heart muscle cells. It can result in life-threatening heart rhythms.

CPR: Provides rescue breaths and chest compressions to someone who has collapsed and is unresponsive. CPR helps keep oxygen-rich blood supplied to the brain and other body organs until medical helps arrives.

Defibrillation: This involves a trained person delivering an electric shock, with an AED, to the victim’s heart to help restore a normal heart rhythm.

ECG (electrocardiogram): This test measures the rhythm & electrical activity of your heart. Small sticky pads are placed on your body connected to wires that link up to the ECG machine. The machine reads & records, on paper, the electrical signals from your heart.

Echo (echocardiogram): Use of ultrasound to view moving images of your heart muscle & valves.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): A disease of the heart muscle which does not allow the heart to pump blood around the body as well as it should.

Long QT Syndrome: An inherited disorder of the heart’s electrical system. People may experience periods of very fast heart beat that may be life threatening.

Myocarditis: An inflammation of the heart muscle, most often caused by a viral infection. However it may also be due to a bacterial infection, rheumatic fever or an adverse reaction to some types of drugs.

Palpitations: The sensation of an irregular heart beat.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest: The heart stops working without warning

Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome: The heart has one or more extra electrical pathways that may cause abnormal heart rhythms.

Sudden Cardiac Death Support Group The group was set up in 2006 in association with the Irish Heart Foundation and grew from the friendship of parents who suffered the loss of a young person to sudden cardiac death.

The group’s services include:

Facilitating people who’ve suffered a similar loss to contact each other through our informal support network, nationwide.

Helping people get in touch with accredited bereavement counsellors.

Giving people access to medical information on heart problems.

Linking people to other Irish Heart Foundation support groups (Cardiomyopathy, Long QT Syndrome and ICD)

The group aims to:

Increase awareness surrounding sudden cardiac death

Encourage placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in schools, sports venues and public places.

Encourage screening of our youth for heart conditions.

If you would like to contact a member of the committee, please contact the Irish Heart Foundation 01 6685001 or info@irishheart.ie or visit www.scdyoung.ie

Defibrillator Training

2007-11-05T11:33:00.000-08:00

Defribrillator Training

Safety-Tec operate under an approved training site for the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) and the American Heart Association (AHA). Our Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) have years of experiance of working on emergency ambulances and are certified AED instructors by both the IHF and the AHA giving international recognition to the training provided.

Training usually takes about four hours and anyone can be trained. Safety-Tec use the very latest in teaching technology, state of the art equipment and life like training scenarios to ensure that the highest quality of training is delivered.

Additional Training Information click here

More information can be obtained by contacting us

How to Use a Defibrillator

2007-11-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

Defibrillation is the delivery of a powerful electrical shock to the heart. (The defibrillator is the device used in movies and TV shows: two handheld pads are placed on the victim’s chest while an actor yells “Clear!”) In the past, defibrillators were very heavy, expensive, needed regular maintenance, and were mostly found only in hospitals. Now there are more portable units available. A defibrillator should be used only for a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), an electrical problem that cannot be helped by CPR.

How to Use a Defibrillator

1. Turn on the defibrillator by pressing the green button. Most machines will provide both visual and voice prompts.

2. First, remove the person’s shirt and jewelry, then apply pads to the chest as shown in the diagram displayed on the machine’s LCD panel. One pad should be placed on the upper right side of the chest, one on the lower left.

3. Plug the pads into the connector. The defibrillator will analyze the patient and determine if he needs a shock. Do not touch the patient at this time.

4. If the machine determines that a shock is needed, it will direct you—both audibly and with visual prompts—to press the orange button to deliver a shock. Do not touch the patient after pressing the button. The machine will check to see whether or not the patient needs a second shock and if so will direct you to press the orange button again.

5. Check the patient’s airway, breathing, and pulse. If there is a pulse, but the patient is not breathing, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If there is no pulse, repeat the defibrillation process.

Be Aware!

A defibrillator should be used for a person experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a condition where the heart’s electrical signals become confused and the heart ceases to function. A person experiencing SCA will stop breathing, the pulse will slow or stop, and consciousness will be lost.

What is a Defibrillator?

2007-11-04T01:52:00.000-07:00

A defibrillator is a machine used to shock the victim's heart and restore the heart's normal rythmic patterns. When a defibrillator is used, it in effect kicks the heart into action again, causing it to resume sending blood throughout the body.

18 people die every day as the result of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Some people confuse SCA with a heart attack. They are by no means the same. With a heart attack, caused by blockage of the arteries, the victim feels sever chest pains but almost always remains conscious; however, SCA victims will always lose consciousness. Researchers state that SCA is the result of a "ventricular fibrillation" -- a quivering of the heart which prevents the heart muscle from pumping blood to the body.

To overcome this condition, the victim will need various forms of help in order to survive -- the most important of which may well be the assistance of a defibrillator. Each minute that passes without defibrillation decreases the victim's survival chances by 10 percent.

Hospital defibrillators are expensive machines which send voltage through two paddles doctors place on a heart attack victim's chest area. Automated External Defibrillator's (AEDs) have become the norm in schools, gymnasiums, city offices, and workout facilities. An AED is a compact defibrillator contained in a box roughly the size of a child's lunchbox.