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Home placement of automatic external defibrillators among survivors of ventricular fibrillation
Insights
Most ventricular fibrillation (VF) survivors are potential candidates for home automatic external defibrillator (AED) placement. A study found that over half of VF survivors would accept an AED for home use.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Public Health
Background:
- Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia.
- Survivors of out-of-hospital VF represent a high-risk population for recurrent events.
- Home-based automatic external defibrillator (AED) placement could offer immediate intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the eligibility and willingness of VF survivors to accept home AED placement.
- To determine the potential for widespread adoption of home AEDs among high-risk cardiac patients.
Main Methods:
- Screening of out-of-hospital VF survivors in King County, Washington, from 1984.
- Evaluation of patient eligibility for home AED study enrollment.
- Assessment of patient acceptance rates for home AED participation.
Main Results:
- Out of 95 VF survivors, 63 (66%) were eligible for the study.
- Of the 47 eligible patients approached, 38 (81%) agreed to participate.
- An estimated 53% of VF survivors are potential candidates for and would accept home AEDs.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of ventricular fibrillation survivors are suitable candidates for home automatic external defibrillator placement.
- High acceptance rates suggest feasibility for home AED programs in high-risk cardiac populations.
- Home AEDs could improve survival rates for patients at risk of recurrent VF.
Abstract:
We performed a study to determine how many patients at highest risk for an episode of ventricular fibrillation (those who have already survived such an event) are potential candidates for automatic external defibrillator placement and accepting of such a device in their homes. All VF survivors in King County, Washington, during 1984 were screened for possible enrollment in the study. Of 95 survivors of out-of-hospital VF, 63 (66%) were eligible and of 47 patients approached, 38 (81%) agreed to participate in the study. These findings suggest that approximately half (product of 66% and 81% acceptance rate equals 53%) of VF survivors potentially could use automatic external defibrillators.