The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is dedicated to bringing you the latest news and developments in sudden cardiac arrest prevention and treatment.

No Shock: Patients with Delayed Defibrillation in Hospitals Less Likely to Survive

Patients with Cardiac Arrests in Small Hospitals, in Unmonitored Hospital Units, and After Hours Fare Worst January 3, 2008 –DALLAS–A study reported in the Jan. 3 New England Journal of Medicine, "Delayed Time to Defibrillation and Survival After In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest," found that delayed defibrillation was associated with… Read More

Therapeutic Hypothermia: Is it Malpractice to Withhold the Big Chill?

January 3, 2008–Now that therapeutic hypothermia has been endorsed by the American Heart Association and is catching on as the standard of care for unconscious survivors of cardiac arrest, healthcare advocates are beginning to wonder why this treatment is not offered routinely to patients who could benefit. Consider the following editorial by… Read More

CPR Glove Developed by College Students to Undergo Clinical Trials

January 2, 2008–TORONTO–The CPRGlove, a device invented by McMaster University engineering students Corey Centen, Nilesh Patel and Sarah Smith will be tested in clinical trials in early 2008 by The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Resuscitation Science. While CPR is widely taught in North America, trainees quickly forget the… Read More

2008: The Year of the AED

January 2, 2008–ALBANY–State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate District) has joined with Merrick residents Jill and Craig Levine, who founded the Robbie Levine Foundation in memory of their nine year old son who died tragically of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) after rounding the bases and reaching home plate during a little league… Read More

Radio Wave Technique May Help Heart Attack Survivors by Reducing ICD Shocks

December 31, 2007­–Treating heart attack victims with radio waves helps reduce the likelihood that implantable defibrillators will need to jolt ailing hearts into beating properly, researchers reported last week. The radio-wave technique involves sending a probe into the heart, finding scar tissue from an earlier heart attack, and… Read More

Marathon Runners at Low Risk for Sudden Death

December 22, 2007–TORONTO–Based on media reports, one might conclude that marathon runners face a high risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Not so, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal on December 22. Canadian researchers compared the risks of sudden cardiac death during a marathon run with the risk of dying in a motor… Read More

Congress Passes CPR-AED Awareness Week

December 13, 2007–WASHINGTON, DC–The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association join in thanking Congress for passing a bill designating the first week of June “National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week.” The passing of this resolution shines a national spotlight… Read More

Sioux Tribe Helps Equip MN State Patrol with AEDs

December 7, 2007–PRIOR LAKE, MN­–The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) has announced that it will donate funds to support the purchase of 199 automated external defibrillators (AEDs)—enough to equip every State Patrol squad car in the state of Minnesota. “We are pleased to have been able to work with the Governor and his… Read More

Monterey County Police Armed with Defibrillators

December 5, 2007-SALINAS, CA– If you live in or visit Monterey County, your chances of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest have increased dramatically. Thanks to a hallmark program, all law enforcement vehicles in the County now carry automated external defibrillators (AED) and all federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel in Monterey… Read More

Wedding Guests Save Bride's Grandfather

November 27, 2007–ASPEN–Bobby Cluck and Terri Dangler’s wedding reception in Buttermilk, Colorado, was winding down when the grandfather of the bride, Paul Copsey, collapsed in sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) on the dance floor. As Copsey’s daughters knelt at his side, two wedding guests performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and… Read More