J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2014 Feb;25(1):9-14.

Factors Affecting the Attachment of Automated External Defibrillator for Prehospital Cardiac Arrest Patients

• Han J
• Park S
• Yeom S
• Han S
• An B
• Cho S

Abstract

PURPOSE
Despite significant concern on elevating the rate of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) of prehospital cardiac arrest patients, the rate in Korea is still low compared to other advanced countries. The purpose of this study is to investigate prehospital factors that can influence the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 94 non-cardiogenic prehospital cardiac arrest patients who arrived at one hospital from June 20, 2010 to August 10, 2012.
RESULTS
AED was attached to 37(39.4%) patients. Age (p=0.024), witnessed arrest (p=0.023), rate of AED attachment (p<0.001), and time interval call to emergency medical service (EMS) arrival at a scene (p=0.004) influenced the detection of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed in 6.4% of total patients. We assumed that assessment of patients' status, including age and underlying disease, might influence the decision of AED attachment.
CONCLUSION
In cardiac arrest patients, early CPR and rapid defibrillation should be performed. Results of our study showed a low bystander CPR rate and low AED attachment rate. Further investigations should be conducted in order to find determine the factors that affect decisions of EMS personnel regarding attachment of AED.

Keyword

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Emergency medical services; Defibrillator

MeSH Terms

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Defibrillators*
Emergency Medical Services
Heart Arrest*
Humans
Korea
Retrospective Studies
Tachycardia, Ventricular
Ventricular Fibrillation