BACKGROUND

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

FACTS ABOUT SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST

What It Is – and What It Isn’t

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a sudden, complete loss of heart function in which little or no blood
is being pumped to the rest of the body. Most episodes are caused by arrhythmias, the rapid and/or
chaotic activity of the heart known as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Sudden cardiac arrest
should not be confused with a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, which is caused by a blocked
blood vessel leading to loss of blood supply to a portion of the heart muscle.

Incidence of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest is a major health problem worldwide. As many as 450,000 Americans
experience sudden cardiac arrest each year, and only 5 percent to 10 percent of these people survive,
usually because lifesaving defibrillators arrive on the scene too late, if at all. Most survivors are
also at high risk for suffering additional cardiac arrest episodes. In fact, 30 percent to 50 percent of
these survivors will suffer another sudden cardiac arrest within one year. Sudden cardiac arrest is
reversible in most victims if it’s treated within minutes.

What Makes Someone Susceptible to Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

People with heart disease are at varying risks for sudden cardiac arrest. In general, those with more
severely damaged hearts are at greater risk. Specific risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest include a
previous episode, a family history of sudden cardiac arrest and heart failure (poor heart pumping
function). Anyone with heart disease should discuss his or her risk of sudden cardiac arrest with a
heart rhythm specialist or electrophysiologist. Therapies, including implantable cardioverter
defibrillators, are available to markedly decrease the risk in many individuals.

Community Education

Community education can significantly improve cardiac arrest survival. Individuals need to know
what and how common cardiac arrest is, and that there are frequently no warning signs. Early
recognition of the cardiac arrest and a call for help, as well as early CPR and defibrillation, can save
many lives. However, early defibrillation — delivery of an electric shock to restore normal heart
rhythm — often is not possible because automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are not nearby.
Education on technologies such as AEDs and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) will
also raise awareness of the lifesaving benefits of these therapies and may lead to better public access
to defibrillation.
AEDs

Early defibrillation is perhaps the most critical criteria for initial survival. Although most
ambulances carry defibrillators, other responders are often first on the scene. Because time-to-
defibrillation directly impacts survival, first responders such as fire personnel, security officers or
police and even minimally trained lay people can save lives if they have an AED. Statistical
survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest drop about 10 percent with each passing minute before
defibrillation. Recent studies suggest that up to 70 percent of cardiac arrest victims could be
resuscitated if they were defibrillated within four minutes or less. Survival can be as high as 90
percent if a victim is defibrillated during the first minute after collapse. Individual survival cannot
be determined from these statistics.

Defibrillation Statistical Survival

Rates
In 1 minute 90 percent
In 4 minutes 70 percent
In 10 minutes 2 percent

New AEDs, about the size of a lunch box, have adhesive electrode pads that deliver brief, but
powerful electrical shocks to the chest, interrupting the ventricular fibrillation and helping to restore
the heart’s natural rhythm. Individuals working in schools, government buildings, high-rise
structures, health clubs or other high-risk areas can be easily trained to use AEDs. Several
communities have dramatically increased survival by placing AEDs in key public locations and
training lay responders. Cities such as Washington D.C., Tucson, Ariz., Atlanta, Evanston, Ill.,
Hackensack, N.J., and Las Vegas, are placing AEDs in public and commercial locations. Studies
show that a 40 percent or greater survival rate has been achieved.

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