Abstract | BACKGROUND: Passengers who have ventricular fibrillation aboard commercial aircraft rarely survive, owing to the delay in obtaining emergency care and defibrillation. METHODS: In 1997, a major U.S. airline began equipping its aircraft with automated external defibrillators. Flight attendants were trained in the use of the defibrillator and applied the device when passengers had a lack of consciousness, pulse, or respiration. The automated external defibrillator was also used as a monitor for other medical emergencies, generally at the direction of a passenger who was a physician. The electrocardiogram that was obtained during each use of the device was analyzed by two arrhythmia specialists for appropriateness of use. We analyzed data on all 200 instances in which the defibrillators were used between June 1, 1997, and July 15, 1999. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | R L Page, J A Joglar, R C Kowal, J D Zagrodzky, L L Nelson, K Ramaswamy, S J Barbera, M H Hamdan, D K McKenas |
Journal | The New England journal of medicine
(N Engl J Med)
Vol. 343
Issue 17
Pg. 1210-6
(Oct 26 2000)
ISSN: 0028-4793 [Print] United States |
PMID | 11071671
(Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Aged
- Aircraft
- Electric Countershock
(instrumentation)
- Electrocardiography
- Female
- Heart Arrest
(diagnosis, mortality, therapy)
- Hospitalization
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Resuscitation
(education)
- Survival Rate
- Volunteers
(education)
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