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Automated External Defibrillators
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
are portable medical devices for shocking
a heart back into normal rhythm, such as
needed when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.
They are becoming increasingly common in
offices, planes, and even homes. A shock
from the AED can correct improper heart rhythm
(called ventricular fibrillation), which
would otherwise be fatal in minutes.
Who Can Get an AED?
Generally, since AED's are medical
devices
regulated by the FDA, you need
a doctor's
prescription to buy one. The
one exception
is that the FDA has approved
the HeartStart
Home Defibrillator manufactured
by Philips
for home use (and not elsewhere).
Other manufacturers
may seek similar approvals to
remain competitive.
What to Look For
AEDs are regulated by the FDA
as medical
devices. Consequently, there
is no appreciable
performance difference between
vendors' models.
Instead, the differences are
in price, size,
color, weight, ease of use and
service and
support. Look for these features:
- If you are buying the unit for home use,
see if the model you choose
has been approved
by the FDA for home use without
a prescription;
if not or if you are buying
one for other
uses, inquire of the seller
how best to obtain
a prescription.
- The AED should sense the patient's heart
rhythm and only shock when
it detects a correctable
arrhythmia. This prevents a
shock that could
do more harm than good.
- A recorded (or computer generated) voice
that tells you what to do step
by step so
that you don't have to be fumbling
with an
instruction booklet.
- Uses biphasic shocks. This method has been
found to be more beneficial
because biphasic
uses less power than older
monophasic models
(thus lowering the likelihood
of damaging
the heart muscle) and extends
the battery
life.
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