The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is dedicated to bringing you the latest news and developments in sudden cardiac arrest prevention and treatment.
Compression-Only CPR Increases Survival of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Study Highlights: In a Swedish study of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, bystander CPR rates nearly doubled and compression-only, or Hands-Only CPR, rates increased six-fold over the 18-year review. Compression-only and standard CPR – with chest compressions and rescue breaths – were associated with doubled survival rates compared with no… Read More
Hackers Can Take Over Heart Devices, DHS warns
Any connected device these days is a potential target of hackers—and that now includes defibrillators. Implantable defibrillators made by Minneapolis, Mn.-based Medtronic could allow an attacker to interfere with and collect sensitive data from the devices, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a medical advisory. A defibrillator is… Read More
PTSD After Cardiac Arrest Predicts More Heart Trouble
Survivors of cardiac arrest are more likely to experience further heart trouble—and even death—if they have symptoms of PTSD when discharged from the hospital, according to a new study from researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “Because nearly a third of cardiac arrest survivors in our study reported PTSD symptoms, finding… Read More
Commonly Used Heart Drug Associated with Increased Risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
LISBON, PORTUGAL--A drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure and angina (chest pain) is associated with an increased risk of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest, according to results from the European Sudden Cardiac Arrest network (ESCAPE-NET) presented today at EHRA 2019. Sudden cardiac arrest causes around half of cardiac… Read More
Unhindered Access to AEDs Is Crucial for Bystander Defibrillation and Survival
Reviewing data from a nationwide AED registry, investigators in Copenhagen have found that “Optimization of automated external defibrillator (AED) placement and accessibility are warranted,” according to a study published in Resuscitation. Researchers identified all OHCAs registered by mobile emergency care units in Copenhagen, Denmark (2008–2016… Read More
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Third Leading Cause of Disease-Related Health Loss
Study Highlights: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest was the third leading cause of “health loss due to disease” in the United States behind ischemic heart disease and low back/neck pain in 2016. Bystander interventions, such as CPR and AED application, significantly reduce death and disability due to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. DALLAS, TX… Read More
Fla. EMS Leaders Publish Study on Head-Up CPR Technique
A study recently published in Critical Care Medicine examines the feasibility and safety of performing “head-up CPR,” a bundled technique that involves mild elevation of the head and torso for patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA). Conducted between Jan. 1, 2014 and June 30, 2017 by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (Fla.) crews… Read More
Flirtey and City of Reno Receive FAA Approval for Drone Delivery Beyond Visual Line of Sight
Approval will allow Flirtey to deliver automated external defibrillators Flirtey has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct drone delivery flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), the City of Reno and Flirtey announced today. The new approval enables Flirtey to conduct drone delivery operations with a… Read More
Are Thrill-Seekers With Heart Conditions Playing With Danger?
The fastest roller coasters exceed 100 mph. A race car driver can double that speed within seconds. Either activity can exhilarate, but could they also harm the heart? Could someone literally die from the excitement? Probably not, according to one study that surveyed thrill-seekers with serious heart conditions. Despite all the warning notices… Read More