Authors

Ángela Cantos Gutiérrez

Position

Enfermera

Contact address

C/ Luis Fuentes Bejarano, 50, 14 B, derecha. 41020 Sevilla.

Contact email: angelacantosgutierrez@gmail.com

Abstract

In Spain, cardiovascular diseases represent one of the major health problems for the population. The majority of avoidable deaths are caused by coronary diseases, and typically occur outside the hospital setting. It is estimated that every year over 24,500 cardiorespiratory arrests happen in Spain, which is equivalent to one every 20 minutes as average, causing four times more deaths than car accidents. Ventricular fibrillation is responsible for approximately 80% of cardiorespiratory arrests (CRAs) outside hospital. Defibrillation is the most effective treatment for these episodes. The likelihood of surviving a CRA depends on a fast and adequate initial action; therefore, the so-called Survival Chain has been established, and one of its essential links is defibrillation. According to Royal Decree 365/2009, dated March, 20th, which determines the minimum safety and quality conditions and requirements for using external automatic and semi-automatic defibrillators outside the hospital setting, an External Semi-Automatic Defibrillator (SAED) is that healthcare product used for analyzing cardiac rhythm, identifying lethal arrythmias adequate for defibrillation, and administering an electric charge with the aim to re-establish the viable cardiac rhythm with high safety levels.

Keywords:

Cardiorespiratory arrest; early defibrillation; external semi-automatic defibrillator; survival chainpublic access to defibrillation

Versión en Español

Título:

Desfibriladores externos semiautomáticos en episodios de parada cardiorrespiratoria