Semiautomatic external defibrillation plan for Galicia: results of implementation

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a plan for implementing the use of

semiautomatic external defibrillators in Galicia.

Methods: Cardiorespiratory arrests treated by ambulance attendants with

semiautomatic external defibrillators in 2001, 2002 and 2003 were studied. Recovery of

vital constants at the point of initial emergency service care was noted, and factors

affecting survival and the efficacy of defibrillation were analyzed. Data were extracted

from the ambulance attendants’ defibrillation records and the computer records of the

ambulance service dispatch center.

Results: Nine hundred fifty-eight cardiorespiratory arrests were treated with

semiautomatic external defibrillators (26.61 arrests/month). Ambulance attendants

found a shockable rhythm in 25.15%; ventricular fibrillation was restored in 11.27%.

Arrests were witnessed in 50.41% of the cases, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

was initiated by a bystander in 18.95%. Times between the arrest and reception of a call

to the emergency service, first attempt at resuscitation, restoration of circulation, and

first shock decreased from year to year.

Conclusions: To improve the results of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Galicia, it is

necessary to shorten the time between the arrest and the call to the emergency service,

the ambulance response time, and time until the first shock. The frequency of bystander

CPR is low, but has tended to rise in recent years. Basic CPR training in the general

population should be improved. The plan for use of semiautomatic external defibrillators

that was developed and put into practice by the ambulance service has been shown to

meet the needs of our community. To improve outcomes in emergency cases,

ambulance response times should be shortened.