Defibrillators ( AED's and ICD's)

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

"An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable automatic device used to restore normal heart rhythm to patients in cardiac arrest.

An AED is applied outside the body. It automatically analyzes the patient’s heart rhythm and advises the rescuer whether or not a shock is needed to restore a normal heart beat. If the patient’s heart resumes beating normally, the heart has been defibrillated."

http://www.fda.gov/hearthealth/treatments/medicaldevices/aed.html

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=30

Here is a great article on defibrillators!

 

"Broadening the therapeutic uses of ICD technology"
Source: Patient Care
By: Kathryn A. Glatter, MD

"The use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) has become more widespread in recent years to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD), one of the leading causes of mortality in the United States and most other developed nations."

http://mediwire.healingwell.com/main/Default.aspx?P=Content&Articleid=160893

Well, I'm still very new to the ICD world as I've had mine for just over 2 weeks.

I can say that I don't seem to have as many PVC's as I was. Perhaps that's the pacing my ICD provides or maybe it's because I'm a bit less stressed knowing that I have the ICD there in me to protect me...my safety net.

My healing process from the surgery has been uneventful. It wasn't too painful. I used extra strength Tylenol for the pain but only for a day or two afterwards.

I'm adjusting to (what I consider) the very noticeable bump under my skin where the ICD is. Of course, I'm probably more sensitive to that. Brent (my husband) said after the small scar heals you won't be able to tell that anything is there...AAAHHH he's such a sweetheart!

Julia

AED's

interpret heart rhythmand determine if a shock is required. the unit prompts the rescuer to deliver the shock if necessary. AN AED WILLNOT shock someone who doesnot need defibrallation.

 

 

The impact of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

 

 340,000 people die each year from SCA that is about 900 per day !

90% of SCA's occur outside a hospitila

 

If AED's were more readily available, approximately 50,000 lives could be saved each year.

 

a person haveing a SCA is clinical dead use of a AED to resuscitrate can do no additional harm and we are covered  here in FLA by the Good Samaritian law and Federal cardiac Arrest Survival Act (CASA)

 

 

YOu can contact your ECCO office or  Fire DEPT and ask how you can get AED's in work places, shopping malls, churches etc.. each state is different,

Now folks this is near and dear to my heart AED's adn  we got very intense training on using one so please go to he local Red Cross and sign up for a course on how to use one.

Heidi

>>>Don't be bashful - I'd love to hear how it's worked for you!<<<

 

   I have experience with an AED as one was used on me...I suffered SCA and wouldn`t be here now if there wasn`t a AED handy..They first sliced my top all the way up the left sleeve and down the left side..They didn`t bother to take any time to try and undo buttons..(They gave the top back to me when I got out. I have it hanging in my closet as a reminder of how lucky I am to be here) They also shot me full of adrenaline thru the side of my neck or so I heard..I don`t recall any of that obviously

Yep Sara Teri is so right  yu are a survivor and I loved learning to use the AED's and so many places donot have them. Hey yuo would be a great advocate for them in your state since yuo had one used on yuo and  are alive to say it does work. Our Fire Chief here told us giove a woman her privacy when using it and if I hear of any man not respectiong a woman using an AED an automatic  wek suspension without pay. That is the way is should be.

Also folks it doesnot shock yuo unles you need it so donot be afraid to use one it does talk you through it step by step.

Again Thank you Sara fro shareing yuor story. I miss seeing you post.

Heidi

Sara, you may always interject your thoughts anywhere you'd like here, or start a new thread (on topic) whenever you have a mind to!! That's what it's all about!

Hugs always, Teri :)