Automatic External Defibrillators: the Potential for Widespread Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death in the Community

Abstract

The vast majority of witnessed sudden cardiac death is due to the unpredictable occurrence of ventricular fibrillation, which is almost uniformly reversed by the immediate application of defibrillation. Thus, there is dire need for development of the appropriate conditions for early defibrillation in places where the likelihood of an unexpected sudden death event is deemed probable. In this setting, the automatic external defibrillators (AED) in the hands of even trained lay persons has been considered to have the potential to be the single greatest advance in the treatment of cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation since the development of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Several studies suggest that the use of publicly accessible AEDs by lay persons is feasible and that organized AED training should also focus on community and on-site responders. The potential for widespread prevention of sudden cardiac death in the community with the use of AEDs is discussed in this brief overview.