How Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Treated?
Emergency Treatment
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) requires immediate
treatment with a defibrillator. This device sends an electric shock to the
heart. The electric shock may restore a normal rhythm to a heart that's stopped
beating.
To work well, defibrillation must be done within
minutes of SCA. With every minute that passes, the chances of surviving SCA
drop rapidly.
Police, emergency medical technicians, and other
first responders usually are trained and equipped to use a defibrillator. Call
911 right away if someone has signs or symptoms of SCA. The sooner
help is called, the sooner potentially lifesaving treatment can be done.
Automated External Defibrillators
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are special
defibrillators that untrained bystanders can use. These devices are becoming
more available in public places like airports, office buildings, and shopping
centers.
AEDs are programmed to give an electric shock if
they detect a dangerous
arrhythmia,
such as ventricular fibrillation. This prevents giving a shock to someone who
may have fainted but isn't having SCA.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be given to a
person having SCA until defibrillation can be done.
People who are at risk for SCA may want to consider
having an AED at home. Currently, one AED, the Phillips HeartStart Home
Defibrillator, is sold over-the-counter for home use.
The benefits of home-use AEDs are still debated.
Some people feel that placing these devices in homes will save many lives,
because many SCAs occur at home.
Others note that no evidence supports the idea that
home-use AEDs save more lives. These people fear that people who have AEDs in
their homes will delay calling for help during an emergency. Theyre also
concerned that people who have home-use AEDs will not properly maintain the
devices or forget where they are.
A large study on AEDs is currently under way. It may
provide information on the pros and cons of having an AED in the home.
When considering a home-use AED, talk to your
doctor. He or she can help you decide whether having an AED in your home will
benefit you.
Treatment in a Hospital
If you survive SCA, you usually will be admitted to
a hospital for observation and treatment. In the hospital, your medical team
will closely watch your heart. They may give you medicines to try to reduce the
chance of another SCA.
While in the hospital, your medical team will try to
find out what caused your SCA. If you're diagnosed with
coronary
artery disease, you may have
angioplasty
or coronary
artery bypass grafting. These procedures help restore blood flow through
narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.
Often, people who have SCA get a device called an
implantable
cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). This small device is surgically placed
under the skin in your chest or abdomen. An ICD uses electric pulses or shocks
to help control dangerous arrhythmias. (For more information, see
"How Can Death Due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest Be
Prevented?") |