Matters of the heart
April 22nd 2008 Approximately 140,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) each year in the UK; it is the world's biggest killer and can happen to anyone, anywhere and at anytime. In the past a victim has to rely on an Ambulance crew to attend but this severely reduces the chances of survival for the victim.
Only 5% of SCA victims survive outside of a hospital, however with an AED (Automatic External Defibrillators) on site, defibrillation can take place within 3 minutes, and on average the chances of survival are drastically increased to 70% explains Martek Medical's Vanessa Muff
SCA causes the heart's normal rhythm to suddenly become chaotic, where the heart is no longer able to pump blood effectively. The victim then collapses; stops breathing; becomes unresponsive; and has no detectable pulse. SCA can strike anyone and at anytime. Although the risk of SCA increases with age and in people with heart problems, a large percentage of the victims are people with no known risk factor.
SCA is an electrical problem with the heart and should not be confused with a heart attack which is a pumping problem. Sometimes a heart attack, which may not be fatal in itself, can then trigger a sudden cardiac arrest.
A proven way to treat SCA is by delivering an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal heart rhythm. This is called defibrillation and can make the difference between saving a life and having a victim die.
Every minute that the heart is not beating lowers the odds of survival by 10%. However, if a victim receives defibrillation within three minutes the chances of survival are increased by 70%. After 10 minutes, the chances of survival are negligible. CPR can buy a little time but ultimately SCA requires a shock to restore a normal heart rhythm. Without defibrillation survival rates drop by over 10% for every minute without defibrillation. After 10 minutes, the chances of survival are extremely small.
Ambulances have a target to arrive within 8 minutes, reducing the victim's chances to very low levels but with workloads and modern traffic problems this response time is usually much greater.
Ambulance Authorities actually recommend and promote the deployment of AED's in public areas and the workplace in order to drastically increase survival rates.
With AED's located in workplaces, life saving care can be delivered almost immediately and studies in the USA have shown survival rates in places such as shopping malls increased from less than 5% to over 70%. Businesses often invest in the equipment after they have had a SCA incident occur, as they realise after the event how very real the chance of SCA happening is.
Given the number of people present and the considerable amount of time and activity spent in the work place, the chances of someone suffering cardiac arrest on premises are very real.
An AED is a portable device that analyses the heart's rhythm and prompts the user to deliver defibrillation shock if required.
As for many businesses, an AED may not be something that has ever been considered before, let alone investigated, there are a number of factors to consider: Ease of use During an SCA incident the atmosphere will be chaotic and people in a state of panic so a unit which is easy to use is an advantage. Look at whether the unit provides prompts for the user – this can include voice instructions and clear visual prompts.
CPR technique feedback
If a victim is suffering SCA, CPR is often also required. An AED should therefore advise the rescuer on effective CPR compression techniques or you should consider additional first aid training for staff to cover this.
Usable adhesive pads
Some electrode pads on AED's should not be over sticky, as precious seconds can be lost while removing and placing such pads correctly.
Firm electrode connections
Check the electrode connections to the main AED unit and make sure the connectors cannot be pulled out easily.
Given the commotion when using an AED, you don't want a unit where the electrode cable(s) can be easily unplugged.
Durability
Check to see that the unit has a water-resistant seal(s). An AED may be used in the rain and placed on a wet sidewalk for example. A water-rated seal especially around the battery compartment might be a benefit in such a situation. Also, consider whether having a non-slip handle for use with wet hands and gloves might be useful.
Sudden cardiac arrest – The facts
Its strikes without warning killing 140,000 people per year in the UK Less than 5% of its victims survive out of hospital in the UK 13% of workplace fatalities are from SCA 34% of those who have installed an AED have used their defibrillator at least once to save a life. It kills more people than lung or breast cancer combined It can happen to anyone even young athletes
Causes of SCA
Anyone can suffer SCA; You are at higher risk from SCA if you: Have had a previous heart attack or heart disease Have a family history of heart problems Have undiagnosed heart problems. Suffer from an asphyxiation (drowning, choking etc) Suffer from an electrocution Have an impact or trauma to the chest More articles from Martek Medical Ltd: | 
