The Automated External Defibrillator: Heterogeneity of Legislation, Mapping and Use across Europe. New Insights from the ENSURE Study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The rapid use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) is crucial for increased survival after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Many factors could play a role in limiting the chance of an AED use. We aimed to verify the situation regarding AED legislation, the AED mapping system and first responders (FRs) equipped with an AED across European countries.

Methods

We performed a survey across Europe entitled "European Study about AED Use by Lay Rescuers" (ENSURE), asking the national coordinators of the European Registry of Cardiac Arrest (EuReCa) program to complete it.

Results

Nineteen European countries replied to the survey request for a population covering 128,297,955 inhabitants. The results revealed that every citizen can use an AED in 15

SUBMITTER: Baldi E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8585055 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature