It is estimated that over 5,000 people die of sudden cardiac death in Ireland each year.  Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is defined as death due to natural causes within an hour of the onset of symptoms, in the absence of any other cause, and assumed to have a cardiac cause.  The majority of SCDs occur from late middle age onwards as a result of coronary heart disease.  A minority of deaths occur in people under 40 years.

Survival rates following a cardiac arrest at any age are directly related to time to resuscitation and particularly defibrillation.  Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have been proven to be of extreme benefit in increasing the chances of survival from sudden cardiac arrest.  AEDs strategically placed throughout the community and in priority facilities, such as GP practices, sports clubs, airports and shopping centres, along with people trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED use can greatly increase the time to response to a sudden collapse.

About Sudden Cardiac Arrest

What is sudden cardiac arrest?

SCA is a sudden and unexpected pulseless condition attributed to cessation of cardiac mechanical activity. It is usually caused by ventricular fibrillation, an abnormality in the heart’s electrical system. When SCA occurs, blood stops flowing to the brain, the heart, and the rest of the body, and the person collapses. In fact, the victim is clinically dead and will remain so unless someone helps immediately.

Is sudden cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack?

No. A heart attack (or a myocardial infarction) occurs when part of the heart’s blood supply is reduced or blocked, causing the heart muscle to become injured or die. It has been described as a “plumbing problem” in the heart. The heart attack victim is awake and may complain about one or more of the signs and symptoms of heart attack. In contrast, the SCA victim is not awake and needs immediate help. More…

While a heart attack can lead to SCA, there are many other causes, including:

• Thickening of the heart muscle (e.g., Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia)
• Heart rhythm disorders (e.g., Brugada syndrome, long QT syndrome, Wolff Parkinson White syndrome)
• Heart valve disorders (e.g., Mitral Valve Prolapse).

Other causes of SCA among people who do not have heart disease include recreational drug use, electrocution, and commotio cordis, a disruption in the heart rhythm due to a sudden blow to the chest.

When SCA occurs, the heart stops beating in an effective, organized manner. As a result, blood is no longer pumped throughout the body. The person suddenly passes out and appears lifeless, except for abnormal “gasping,” which may last for several minutes. Occasionally, SCA victims experience 10-20 seconds of seizure activity (shaking of the arms and legs) at the onset of the event, as the brain stops receiving blood and oxygen from the heart.

Why do laypersons need to know about sudden cardiac arrest?

When a person collapses, is unresponsive, and is not breathing normally, he or she most likely is experiencing SCA. Whether or not the victim survives depends largely upon the immediate intervention of bystanders. There is a brief timeframe for saving the victim’s life.

How common is sudden cardiac arrest in youth?

Estimates of the annual incidence of SCA among youth outside hospitals vary widely. In 2013, the American Heart Association (AHA) reported there are 9,500 cases of EMS-assessed OHCA annually in youth <18. Some experts, however, believe this estimate is high and that fewer than 1,000 children experience SCA each year. Efforts are underway to develop a registry to track the true incidence.

How common is sudden cardiac arrest among athletes?

The AHA reports that most sudden deaths in athletes may be attributed to cardiovascular disease (56%). Nearly one-third of cardiovascular deaths (29%) occur in blacks, 54% occur in high school students, and 82% occur with physical exertion during competition/training. Only 11% occur in females, though this proportion is increasing over time. According to a study by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, there is one SCA death per 22,903 athlete participant years among students 17-24 years of age participating in NCAA sports.

Treatment

How should sudden cardiac arrest be treated?

SCA victims can survive if they receive immediate CPR and are treated quickly with defibrillators. To be effective, this treatment must be delivered quickly—ideally, within three to five minutes after collapse.

Why is bystander action so important?

Even the best emergency medical services may not be able to reach a victim within three to five minutes. This is why prompt action by bystanders is so critical and why it is so important for laypersons learn CPR and how to use automated external defibrillators (AEDs). More...

What is an automated external defibrillator?

An AED is a portable user-friendly electronic device that automatically diagnoses potentially life-threatening heart rhythms. If the AED detects a problem that may respond positively to an electric shock, it permits a shock to be delivered to restore a normal heart rhythm. AEDs provide simple audio and visual instructions and are designed for use by laypersons. Some AEDs advise the operator to press a button to deliver the shock. Other AEDs automatically provide a shock if the heart is in a fatal rhythm.

Do most sudden cardiac arrest victims receive immediate CPR and treatment with an automated external defibrillator?

Unfortunately, only one-third (32%) of SCA victims receive bystander CPR and only 2% are treated with AEDs by bystanders.

Who can use an automated external defibrillator?

AEDs may be used by any motivated bystander, regardless of training. If interested in training, please contact our training specialists on 01 5079900 or log on to www.hayesfirstaid.com/training for more information

Is a rescuer protected from legal liability risks if he or she uses an automated external defibrillator?

The overwhelming majority of U.S. jurisdictions afford some type of legal liability protection for AED users. Often, these protections are provided by Good Samaritan statutes. Typically, AED users are protected from liability so long as they act in a reasonable and rational manner. Liability protections generally don’t cover gross negligence or wilful or wanton misconduct, such as consciously seeking to injure the patient or using an AED in a non-accepted, non-standard way.

Can a rescuer accidentally hurt the victim with an automated external defibrillator?

No. The victim is already clinically dead and the rescuer's actions can only help. AEDs are designed to resuscitate people whose hearts have stopped working effectively. AEDs will only shock victims whose hearts need to be shocked to restore a healthy rhythm.

Can a rescuer hurt himself or others with an automated external defibrillator?

No, not if the AED is used properly. The therapeutic shock is programmed to go from one electrode pad to the other through the victim’s chest. Basic precautions, such as not touching the victim during the shock, ensure the safety of rescuers and other bystanders.

Can automated external defibrillators be used to treat children?

Yes. For children under age eight, a pediatric dose of electrical therapy should be used if possible. Some AEDs have pediatric capabilities. If a child’s heart rhythm is potentially fatal and a device with pediatric capabilities is not available, a standard AED should be used.

Where can I get an automated external defibrillator?

Right here!! Click this link to view our range.