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Use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the out-of-hospital setting saves lives, and a recent study suggested a survival benefit from use of AEDs in hospitals. Investigators compared time to first shock and survival rates from cardiac arrest at a large teaching hospital in Michigan during the year before and after standard monophasic external defibrillators were replaced with biphasic AEDs.
No differences in predominant rhythm or medical comorbidities were noted between the 277 patients in the standard-defibrillator group and the 284 patients in the AED group. After the switch to AEDs, rates of survival to discharge did not change significantly in patients with ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia (29% before and 31% after) but…