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

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.