In this single institution before-after study, survival did not improve after the switch from standard monophasic external defibrillators to biphasic AED’s. Time to first shock was no different between the 2 groups, nor was survival to discharge in those with Vtach or Vfib. Those with asystole or PEA actually had lower survival after initiation of AED’s (15% survival for AED’s versus 23% survival for standard defibrillators). This suggests that, in settings where rhythms are likely to be unresponsive to defibrillation (such as in-hospital setting), AED’s are unlikely to improve survival above that offered by standard external defibrillators (abstract).
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April 7, 2009 |
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About the Author: Danielle Scheurer
Danielle Scheurer, MD, MSCR, SFHM is a clinical hospitalist and the Chief Quality Officer at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina, where she also serves as Assistant Professor of Medicine. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, completed her residency at Duke University, and completed her Masters in Clinical Research at the Medical University of South Carolina. She is also the President of SHM's Board of Directors and previously served as Physician Editor of The Hospitalist, SHM's monthly newsmagazine.
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