Do Automated External Defibrillators Have a Place in the Home?

In a carefully designed and executed study, placement of AEDs in the homes of patients at increased risk for sudden cardiac death did not reduce overall mortality.

Patients with prior anterior-wall MI are at increased risk for sudden cardiac death. In those with LV ejection fractions of 35% or lower, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator has been shown to increase survival (Journal Watch Cardiology May 3 2002 and Journal Watch Cardiology Mar 4 2005), and ICDs have become standard therapy in these patients. However, in patients with higher LVEFs, the risk for sudden cardiac death is still greater than in those with normal hemodynamic function; electrical treatment strategies for this relatively large patient group are not yet defined. In theory, home-based automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can improve the resuscitation of these patients if they suffer cardiac arrest.

In a multicenter, interna…

Reviewing Author

Mark S. Link, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsCirculation; UpToDate

Mark S. Link, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsCirculation; UpToDate