RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Real-world insight into public access defibrillator use over five years
JF Open Heart
JO Open Heart
FD British Cardiovascular Society
SP e001251
DO 10.1136/openhrt-2020-001251
VO 7
IS 1
A1 Hannah Torney
A1 Olibhéar McAlister
A1 Adam Harvey
A1 Amy Kernaghan
A1 Rebecca Funston
A1 Ben McCartney
A1 Laura Davis
A1 Raymond Bond
A1 David McEneaney
A1 Jennifer Adgey
YR 2020
UL http://openheart.bmj.com/content/7/1/e001251.abstract
AB Background Public access defibrillators (PADs) represent unique life-saving medical devices as they may be used by untrained lay rescuers. Collecting representative clinical data on these devices can be challenging. Here, we present results from a retrospective observational cohort study, describing real-world PAD utilisation over a 5-year period.Methods Data were collected between October 2012 and October 2017. Responders voluntarily submitted electronic data downloaded from HeartSine PADs, and patient demographics and other details using a case report form in exchange for a replacement battery and electrode pack.Results Data were collected for 977 patients (692 males, 70.8%; 255 females, 26.1%; 30 unknown, 3.1%). The mean age (SD) was 59 (18) years (range <1 year to 101 years). PAD usage occurred most commonly in homes (n=328, 33.6%), followed by public places (n=307, 31.4%) and medical facilities (n=128, 13.1%). Location was unknown in 40 (4.09%) events. Shocks were delivered to 354 patients. First shock success was 312 of 350 patients where it could be determined (89.1%, 95% CI 85.4% to 92.2%). Patients with reported response times ≤5 min were more likely to survive to hospital admission (89/296 (30.1%) vs 40/250 (16.0%), p<0.001). Response time was unknown for 431 events.Conclusion This is the first study to report global PAD usage in voluntarily submitted, unselected real-world cases and demonstrates the real-world effectiveness of PADs, as confirmed by first shock success.