How can we reduce sudden death
in the community? |
Cardiac arrest outcomes have not
improved for 30 years. Survival from
defibrillation within 3 minutes of
ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation
(VT/VF) onset is 70% to 80%.
However, VT/VF accounts for only
30% to 40% of arrests. In non-
VT/VF arrest and VT/VF arrest
without an automated external defibrillator
(AED) on site, survival
from manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) is 2% to 8%, vs
20% to 30% from witnessed arrests
in communities offering bystander
CPR and rapid arrival of trained
personnel with an AED. Hence the
drive to simplify CPR instruction,
emphasizing proper chest compression,
full release between compressions,
and avoidance of overventilation.
Drugs and devices other than
defibrillators have demonstrated no
long-term survival benefit. Technological
advances and raised community
awareness offer the best
hopes for improving quality survival...
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