Public Use of AEDs in Europe: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going?

摘要

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) were introduced into clinical use in the early 1980s [1,2], but acceptance was slow and it is only recently that their potential for community resuscitation has become widely appreciated. In Europe-as elsewhere-we remain a long way from the optimal use of an important technology. Sufficient experience has been gained, however, to show both the value of AEDs and their limitations, and to indicate where priorities for deployment might lie as their availability increases. The evidence confirming that we should encourage their widespread use is compelling. Whilst there may be a potential role for in-hospital use, the greatest contribution that AEDs can make towards improving survival from cardiac arrest lies outside hospital-for use in public places by persons who are not healthcare professionals.