Bystander CPR and defibrillator use save lives, even with quick ambulance arrival.
Bystander CPR and defibrillator use save lives, even with quick ambulance arrival.
The Power of Bystander Aid: CPR and Defibrillators Can Save Lives
When a person suffers a cardiac arrest, immediate action by a bystander can often be the difference between life and death. According to a recent study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2023, bystander aid using CPR and a defibrillator significantly improves the chances of survival, even when an ambulance arrives quickly.
Cardiac arrests commonly occur in the community when the heart’s lower chambers beat irregularly, leading to the heart stopping and blood flow ceasing. Without swift intervention, an individual can pass out and die within 10 to 20 minutes. However, by calling an ambulance, starting chest compressions, and locating a defibrillator, bystanders can play a vital role in saving lives.
The Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry provided researchers with data on adults who experienced cardiac arrests in the community between 2016 and 2020 and received CPR from a bystander. The study compared the survival rates of patients who had received defibrillation from a bystander before the ambulance arrived with those who did not.
Among the over 7,400 adults included in the study, 14.7% received bystander defibrillation, while 85.3% did not. The results showed that 44.5% of patients who received bystander defibrillation survived to 30 days, compared to only 18.8% of those who did not.
The study also analyzed different ambulance response times and found that the likelihood of survival with bystander defibrillation was higher for all time intervals up to 25 minutes, except when the ambulance arrived within two minutes. Notably, the greatest positive impact on survival was observed when the ambulance took six to eight minutes to reach the scene. Thus, the study suggests that defibrillators should be placed in areas where ambulance response times are likely to exceed six minutes.
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These findings emphasize the critical role of bystander aid in cardiac arrest situations. Performing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) are the most effective ways for a bystander to help during such emergencies. AEDs deliver high-energy electric shocks, which help restart the heart.
Dr. Mathias Hindborg, the study author from Nordsjaellands Hospital in Hillerod, Denmark, highlighted the importance of bystander defibrillation. He stated, “When resources are limited, defibrillators should be located in areas where ambulance response times are likely to be more than six minutes.”
The study’s results serve as a reminder for communities to invest in public access defibrillator programs and educate individuals on CPR and AED usage. By empowering bystanders with the necessary skills and providing access to defibrillators, more lives can be saved.
It is important to recognize the limitations of this study, as the findings were presented at a medical conference and have not yet undergone peer-review. However, they provide valuable insights into the potential impact of bystander defibrillation on survival rates during cardiac arrests.
In conclusion, bystander aid using CPR and defibrillators can significantly improve the chances of survival for individuals experiencing cardiac arrests in the community. By combining CPR and defibrillation, bystanders can take immediate action to save lives even before the arrival of medical professionals. Investing in accessible defibrillator programs and promoting CPR education can empower communities to become proactive in responding to cardiac emergencies.
[QUESTION]
In the U.S., 1 in every 4 deaths is caused by heart disease. See Answer
More Information
The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more information on cardiac arrest.
Source: European Society of Cardiology, news release. Aug. 22, 2023
