American Heart Association Praises Senate Passage of Defibrillator Legislation

American Heart Association Praises Senate Passage of Defibrillator Legislation: "ALBANY - The American Heart Association today commends the New York State Senate for passing legislation that will expand New York State's Public Access to Defibrillation program by requiring all high occupany facilities to be equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED). All publicly- and privately-operated facilities having a capacity for occupancy by 1,000 or more persons will be required to be equipped with a minimum of one AED and have at least one employee trained in CPR and the use of an AED to be present when the facility is in use.

This legislation, which was passed by the New York State Assembly on May 26th, empowers New York State residents to respond to a cardiac emergency.

Now, it awaits the signature of New York State Governor George Pataki.

'The Senate has shown it understands how critical improving the chain of survival for cardiac arrest victims is,' said Paul Hartman, Director of Advocacy for the American Heart Association. 'If signed by Governor Pataki, this legislation will grow New York's current public access defibrillation program by bringing lifesaving defibrillators into our state's largest public and private venues.'

This legislation, which was passed by the New York State Assembly on May 26th, empowers New York State residents to respond to a cardiac emergency.

Now, it awaits the signature of New York State Governor George Pataki.

"The Senate has shown it understands how critical improving the chain of survival for cardiac arrest victims is," said Paul Hartman, Director of Advocacy for the American Heart Association. "If signed by Governor Pataki, this legislation will grow New York's current public access defibrillation program by bringing lifesaving defibrillators into our state's largest public and private venues."

The legislation (S.1074), sponsored by Senator James Alesi (R - East Rochester), extends "Good Samaritan" protections to trained employees and volunteers who use the AED in an emergency situation at such facilities. Identical legislation (A.112) was sponsored by Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D - Long Beach).

About 250,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest. Defibrillation is the only known therapy to treat an individual in cardiac arrest. The delivering of an electrical shock to the heart can restore the heart's normal rhythm. However, it must be done within minutes of the arrest. For every minute that passes without defibrillation, a victim's chance of survival decreases by seven to 10 percent. After as few as 10 minutes, very few resuscitation attempts are successful.

In the past, the ability to defibrillate rested solely in the hands of emergency medical personnel. Unfortunately, quick emergency medical response isn't always possible.

"The best way to give New Yorkers who suffer sudden cardiac arrest a chance for survival is to ensure the high-capacity facilities are equipped with lifesaving equipment, and that appropriate personnel are trained in CPR and in the use of an AED," Hartman said. "We know that this legislation will save lives, and we can't stress that fact enough."

In December 2002, New York State became the first state in the nation to require AEDs in schools and at all school sporting and extracurricular events. In February, the New York City Council unanimously passed legislation, and Mayor Bloomberg signed into law legislation that requires AEDs to be available in many public places, including city-owned buildings, parks, stadiums, senior centers, nursing homes, and golf courses. New York State has served as the national leader in enacting public policy to expand public access defibrillation -- requiring AEDs in schools, health clubs, and all state buildings and institutions. Most importantly, the AEDs-in-schools law alone has resulted in 18 saved lives since December 2002.

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Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: "
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is used in patients at risk for recurrent, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation.

The device is connected to leads positioned inside the heart or on its surface. These leads are used to deliver electrical shocks, sense the cardiac rhythm and sometimes pace the heart, as needed. The various leads are tunnelled to a pulse generator, which is implanted in a pouch beneath the skin of the chest or abdomen. These generators are typically a little larger than a wallet and have electronics that automatically monitor and treat heart rhythms recognized as abnormal. Newer devices are smaller and have simpler lead systems. They can be installed through blood vessels, eliminating the need for open chest surgery.

When an implantable cardioverter defibrillator detects ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, it shocks the heart to restore the normal rhythm. New devices also provide overdrive pacing to electrically convert a sustained ventricular tachycardia, and 'backup' pacing if bradycardia occurs. They also offer a host of other sophisticated functions (such as storage of detected arrhythmic events and the ability to do 'noninvasive' electrophysiologic testing).

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators have been very useful in preventing sudden death in patients with known, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Studies are now being done to find out how best to use them and whether they may have a role in preventing cardiac arrest in high-risk patients who haven't had, but are at risk for, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

According to the American Heart Association Heart and Stroke Statistical Update, in 1998 (the most recent statistics available) there were 26,000 ICD procedures.

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Great Defibrillators win "The Ridge Goes Red 2005"

Defibrillators Shock the Field at "The Ridge Goes Red 2005": "Defibrillators Shock the Field at 'The Ridge Goes Red 2005'"

The Defibrillators showed that they’ve got a lot of heart on Feb. 4 and 5. The team of four teenagers took first place in The Ridge Goes Red 2005 – a 24-hour ski and snowboard relay race at Maple Ski Ridge in Schenectady – tallying 1,313 runs in 24 hours.

The race got underway at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4, and 18 teams worked through the night and day before kicking off their skis and boards at 7 p.m. Feb. 5. Each team consisted of four people, and one person from each team was required to be on the mountain at all times.

The Ridge Goes Red 2005 served as a fund-raiser for the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women program. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of women – one in every 2.5 women die of heart disease or stroke – and Go Red For Women raises funds and awareness in an effort to change those statistics.

Each team was required to raise at least $100 in donations for the Go Red For Women program, and the event raised a total of $3,600. Exceeds Expectations, a team from Duanesburg (Kyle Burton, Chelsey Charpentier, Justin Dykeman and Stephanie Seigel), led the way with $476. The Flakes, also from Duanesburg, turned in $453.

The Defibrillators, of Guilderland, were made up of Kevin Butler, J.P. MacFartlan, Frank Tralongo and Mike Tralongo. They finished more than 300 runs ahead of the next team.

The American Heart Association’s Capital Region Go Red For Women events are made possible by the generosity of the following sponsors: National Sponsors Macy’s and Pfizer; Daily Newspaper Sponsor the Albany Times Union; Television Sponsor WNYT; and Radio Sponsors 94 Rock and 93.7 The New Eagle. KeyBank also is a supporter of Go Red For Women.

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American Heart Association Provides Area Police with Lifesaving Defibrillators

American Heart Association Provides Area Police with Lifesaving Defibrillators: "

American Heart Association Provides Area Police with Lifesaving Defibrillators

August 8, 2003

DAYTON -- The American Heart Association today presented police chiefs throughout the Miami Valley with a total of 20 lifesaving automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The portable devices, which restore a cardiac arrest victim’s normal heart rhythm by shocking the heart, will be placed in police cruisers in each municipality.

“When it comes to cardiac arrest, every second counts,” said Mark Gebhart, M.D., Vice President of the Miami Valley American Heart Association. “We’re thrilled to partner with these responders to save lives throughout the Miami Valley.”

In many rural areas of Ohio, it can take emergency vehicles several minutes to reach the scene of an emergency. Police vehicles are often first on the scene and have the best opportunity to save the life of someone suffering from cardiac arrest. In most cases, resuscitation attempts are unsuccessful in as little as ten minutes after a cardiac event.

Nationwide, 220,000 people die annually from sudden cardiac arrest. The survival rate is less than five percent, but the rate is much higher in areas where defibrillators are common.

Funds for the AEDs, which cost $2000 each including

training, were provided through a $40,000 grant from the Levin Family Foundation to the association’s Operation Heartbeat program, which focuses on saving lives from sudden cardiac arrest.

The association provided AEDs to police departments in Beavercreek, Bradford, Englewood, Greenville, Monroe, Miamisburg, Miami Township, Riverside, Trotwood, Union, and Yellow Springs, as well as the South Dayton Jewish Center.

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Ventricular Fibrillation

Ventricular Fibrillation

What is ventricular fibrillation?

The heart beats when electrical signals move through it. Ventricular fibrillation (ven-TRIK'u-ler fib"rih-LA'shun) ("V fib") is a condition in which the heart's electrical activity becomes disordered. When this happens, the heart's lower (pumping) chambers contract in a rapid, unsynchronized way. (The ventricles "flutter" rather than beat.) The heart pumps little or no blood.

AHA Scientific Position

Ventricular fibrillation is very serious. Collapse and sudden cardiac death will follow in minutes unless medical help is provided immediately. If treated in time, V fib and ventricular tachycardia (ven-TRIK'u-ler tak"eh-KAR'de-ah) (extremely rapid heartbeat) can be converted into normal rhythm. This requires shocking the heart with a device called a defibrillator (de-FIB'rih-la-tor).

Today one effective way to correct life-threatening rhythms is by using an electronic device called an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. This device shocks the heart to normalize the heartbeat if the heart's own electrical signals become disordered.

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Public Use of Automated External Defibrillators

Public Use of Automated External Defibrillators

The New England Journal of Medicine published a report today showing that public access defibrillation programs, in which lay rescuers provide CPR and use automated external defibrillators (AEDs), can increase survival from sudden cardiac arrest. The study documents a 67 percent survival rate for those with witnessed sudden cardiac arrest who received bystander CPR and treatment with an AED within 5 minutes. The study was conducted between June 1, 1999 and May 31, 2001 in three Chicago airports.

“The results of the Chicago airport study fortify the American Heart Association’s efforts to encourage bystander CPR and AED programs in high-traffic public locations,” said Vinay Nadkarni, M.D., chairman of the American Heart Association’s emergency cardiovascular care committee.

The three airports studied—Chicago O’Hare, Midway and Meigs Field—report serving more than 100 million passengers annually. During the study, 18 people had ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrest and 11 survived. All of the survivors received bystander CPR. Nine survivors were defibrillated within 5 minutes and two were defibrillated within 7 minutes. Survival was highest in the group that received CPR and defibrillation within 5 minutes.

“The combination of effective CPR and rapid defibrillation is a proven formula for success,” said Dr. Nadkarni. "These survivors were saved because bystanders acted quickly—in other situations, victims die because no one near them provides CPR and defibrillators cannot be accessed soon enough.”

The American Heart Association recommends that effective AED programs include proper training in CPR and AED use, medical oversight in developing a response plan, integration with the emergency medical services (EMS) system and proper quality improvement monitoring, including equipment maintenance.

“The Chicago airport program met all the Association’s recommendations and was extremely well-designed,” Dr. Nadkarni added.

In six of 11 cases, rescuers had no prior training in the use of automated defibrillators, although all were trained in CPR and three held medical degrees. AEDs were placed no more than a 60-90-second walk apart and retrieval of an AED caused automatic notification and dispatch of EMS.

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 250,000 people die annually from sudden cardiac arrest suffered outside the hospital setting.

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Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs): "Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

What is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?
It is a device used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart.

Why are AEDs important?
To date, nothing can restart a stopped heart except an electric shock. When a person suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, for each minute that passes without defibrillation their chance of survival decreases by 7-10 percent. AEDs save lives!

Who can use an AED?
Most AEDs are designed to be used by non-medical personnel who have been properly trained.

Is an AED safe to use?
An AED is safe to use by anyone who has been trained to operate it properly.

What are the legal liabilities?
Everyone trained in AED usage is protected under Florida's Good Samaritan Law.

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Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is used in patients at risk for recurrent, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation.

The device is connected to leads positioned inside the heart or on its surface. These leads are used to deliver electrical shocks, sense the cardiac rhythm and sometimes pace the heart, as needed. The various leads are tunnelled to a pulse generator, which is implanted in a pouch beneath the skin of the chest or abdomen. These generators are typically a little larger than a wallet and have electronics that automatically monitor and treat heart rhythms recognized as abnormal. Newer devices are smaller and have simpler lead systems. They can be installed through blood vessels, eliminating the need for open chest surgery.

When an implantable cardioverter defibrillator detects ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, it shocks the heart to restore the normal rhythm. New devices also provide overdrive pacing to electrically convert a sustained ventricular tachycardia, and "backup" pacing if bradycardia occurs. They also offer a host of other sophisticated functions (such as storage of detected arrhythmic events and the ability to do "noninvasive" electrophysiologic testing).

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators have been very useful in preventing sudden death in patients with known, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Studies are now being done to find out how best to use them and whether they may have a role in preventing cardiac arrest in high-risk patients who haven't had, but are at risk for, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

According to the American Heart Association Heart and Stroke Statistical Update, in 1998 (the most recent statistics available) there were 26,000 ICD procedures.

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American Heart Association Praises Senate Passage of Defibrillator Legislation

American Heart Association Praises Senate Passage of Defibrillator Legislation

ALBANY - The American Heart Association today commends the New York State Senate for passing legislation that will expand New York State's Public Access to Defibrillation program by requiring all high occupany facilities to be equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED). All publicly- and privately-operated facilities having a capacity for occupancy by 1,000 or more persons will be required to be equipped with a minimum of one AED and have at least one employee trained in CPR and the use of an AED to be present when the facility is in use.

This legislation, which was passed by the New York State Assembly on May 26th, empowers New York State residents to respond to a cardiac emergency.

Now, it awaits the signature of New York State Governor George Pataki.

"The Senate has shown it understands how critical improving the chain of survival for cardiac arrest victims is," said Paul Hartman, Director of Advocacy for the American Heart Association. "If signed by Governor Pataki, this legislation will grow New York's current public access defibrillation program by bringing lifesaving defibrillators into our state's largest public and private venues."

The legislation (S.1074), sponsored by Senator James Alesi (R - East Rochester), extends "Good Samaritan" protections to trained employees and volunteers who use the AED in an emergency situation at such facilities. Identical legislation (A.112) was sponsored by Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D - Long Beach).

About 250,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest. Defibrillation is the only known therapy to treat an individual in cardiac arrest. The delivering of an electrical shock to the heart can restore the heart's normal rhythm. However, it must be done within minutes of the arrest. For every minute that passes without defibrillation, a victim's chance of survival decreases by seven to 10 percent. After as few as 10 minutes, very few resuscitation attempts are successful.

In the past, the ability to defibrillate rested solely in the hands of emergency medical personnel. Unfortunately, quick emergency medical response isn't always possible.

"The best way to give New Yorkers who suffer sudden cardiac arrest a chance for survival is to ensure the high-capacity facilities are equipped with lifesaving equipment, and that appropriate personnel are trained in CPR and in the use of an AED," Hartman said. "We know that this legislation will save lives, and we can't stress that fact enough."

In December 2002, New York State became the first state in the nation to require AEDs in schools and at all school sporting and extracurricular events. In February, the New York City Council unanimously passed legislation, and Mayor Bloomberg signed into law legislation that requires AEDs to be available in many public places, including city-owned buildings, parks, stadiums, senior centers, nursing homes, and golf courses. New York State has served as the national leader in enacting public policy to expand public access defibrillation -- requiring AEDs in schools, health clubs, and all state buildings and institutions. Most importantly, the AEDs-in-schools law alone has resulted in 18 saved lives since December 2002.

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Terrorist attacks increased dangerous irregular heartbeats

Terrorist attacks increased dangerous irregular heartbeats

CHICAGO, Nov. 20 – The rate of life-threatening heart rhythms more than doubled among New York heart patients the month after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, researchers reported today at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2002.

The study evaluated patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). An ICD is an electrical generator the size of a pocket watch that is inserted into the heart to monitor heart rhythm. It detects life-threatening abnormal rhythms, called arrhythmias, and delivers an electrical shock to restore normal rhythm.

Beginning a few days after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, the rate of ICD discharges increased and remained elevated throughout the next month.

Researchers evaluated 200 patients (average age 69) with ICDs at six clinics within 100 miles of the World Trade Center. The devices had been implanted an average of 2.5 years before the terrorist attack.

ICDs can store monitoring data, allowing comparison of rhythm patterns and shock rates from different times. The researchers compared ICD discharge rates for the 30 days before and after the terrorist attack. In the month before the attack, 3.5 percent (seven patients) had heart rhythm disturbances that required electrical shocks from their ICDs. In the 30 days after the attack, 8 percent (16 patients) did – a 2.3-fold increase.

The results provide compelling evidence of the impact of stress on the heart, says Marcin Kowalski, M.D., a resident at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York. Even more important, the findings demonstrate the life-saving value of ICDs, he says.

“These patients all had potentially lethal arrhythmias in the 30 days after the attack, and they were all successfully treated by ICDs,” Kowalski says. “This is just another example showing that patients really benefit from ICDs and that ICDs can help save lives.”

Previous studies have evaluated how stressful events such as earthquakes and missile attacks have affected the heart in terms of heart attack and sudden death.

“These previous studies showed a spike in the occurrence of heart attack or sudden death for a short period after the incidents,” says Jonathan S. Steinberg, M.D., chief of cardiology at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt. “The increase in cardiac events tends to be short-lived and very closely coupled to the inciting event, such as an earthquake.”

However, the New York spike in ICD activity was not short-lived, perhaps documenting the persistence of increased psychological stress after the World Trade Center disaster.

The increases in ICD discharge did not occur until three days after the terrorist attack and continued to occur at a cumulative rate throughout the remainder of the 30-day study period. The discharge rate returned to pre-attack levels and remained at 2 percent to 3 percent per month during several months of monitoring.

Why the pattern of cardiac events in the arrhythmia study differed from the patterns seen in other studies is unclear.

“We don’t know why arrhythmias occur at a particular time or have a full understanding of why stress causes arrhythmias,” Steinberg says.

Stress induces several physiologic changes that could predispose a person to a heart attack, heart rhythm disturbance, or other cardiac events, he says. Chief among the changes are increased clot formation and nervous-system stimulation.

“If these changes occur on a regular basis or if they are persistently present, they could promote arrhythmias or heart attacks; and heart attacks can cause arrhythmias,” Steinberg says.

The researchers looked at various medical and demographic factors that might have contributed to the increase in arrhythmias. The only predictor of an arrhythmia after the terrorist attack was the patients’ history of life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances.

“It’s not surprising to find that people who have had arrhythmias are more likely to have arrhythmias again,” Steinberg says.

A future study will evaluate whether proximity to the attack site – specifically, living closer to Ground Zero – influenced a patient’s likelihood of having an arrhythmia after the terrorist attack. Several medical centers around the country will participate.

“Physicians and patients need to be aware that real-life, stressful events can trigger arrhythmias,” Steinberg says. “Physicians should encourage patients with ICDs to practice stress-reduction and stress-avoidance techniques. It’s also important to protect patients against the effects of increased nervous-system stimulation by giving them beta-blockers.”

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