Automated external defibrillators
In the vast majority of cases the causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) are ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Of the three million cases of SCD in world's scale survival is about 1 %. Annually only in USA about 400 thousands of people die from SCD. The conception of early defibrillation has proved it's importance and worth in salvation of patients' lives in sudden cardiac arrest, as far as the results of the studies showed the use of automated external defibrillator (AED) had improved survival of patients with SCD. Using the AED by people without special skills laid the foundation of conception of «public access defibrillation». The results showed that training and equipping of volunteers for early defibrillation can increase the number of survivors to the time of discharge from hospital after outhospital cardiac arrest in public places. Trained people can effectively and safely use AED. After an analysis of cases of SCD occurred at home a concept of «home doctor» becomes relevant. Approximately 80 % of SCD occur at home. In USA FDA authorized the use of AED at home. The members of family should be instructed and be ready to assist especially if the episode of SCD was in patient's history. An early defibrillation at prehospital stage is necessary for children at a high risk: with genetic predictors of SCD such as long Q–T syndrome, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, catecholamine polymorphic VT etc. For this reason it is necessary to register patients in educational places and provide such places with AED. It is also important to train the skills of early defibrillation with AED for teachers and caregivers of these institutions. Modern AED helps rescuers properly perform all steps of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In situation which requires clear coordination even an educated rescuer may be confused. AED can be helpful for nonprofessional rescuers as well as for qualified specialists in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.