Home automated external defibrillators in a geriatric population: a brief discussion of the evidence

The literature has identified significant successes in cardiac resuscitation with the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public areas. As of September 2004, the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the purchase of these devices by the general public without a prescription. For the practicing geriatrician attempting to understand the utility of these devices in a geriatric population, this article reviews the relevant literature of cardiac resuscitation and AEDs, with special attention to large public access trials.