The American Heart Association supports the establishment of programs to train and equip lay responders to activate the Chain of Survival and to use the AED in the event of a cardiac arrest. AEDs are commonly placed in public locations because research has shown that their use results in improved survival after cardiac arrest. Because most cardiac arrests occur in the home, it has been suggested that family members of individuals at risk for sudden cardiac arrest should be trained to use the AED. To date, research has not shown whether AEDs used in the home are as effective as they are when used in public locations. Accordingly, the American Heart Association has not recommended broad adoption of home use of the AED. Interested individuals may obtain an AED with a prescription from a physician or over the counter without the need for a prescription. If you elect to purchase a home AED, it is important to have family members properly trained in CPR and use of the AED. It must be remembered that for the person at high risk for sudden cardiac arrest, the treatment of choice is an implanted defibrillator that can detect the development of life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances and automatically deliver a shock. (See also the Cardiology Patient Pages by Reiffel and Dizon, “The Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: Patient Perspective” [Circulation. 2002;105: 1022–1024], and by Sears et al, “How to Respond to an Implantable-Cardioverter Shock” [Circulation. 2005;111:e380–e382.) These implanted devices can be effective even if the sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the victim is alone or asleep or if there is no AED available.
Broad legal protection in the form of “Good Samaritan” laws exists to protect all who purchase and operate an AED. The risk of legal action due to owning or using an AED is minimal. In fact, there may be some legal risk in not providing access to an AED as a matter of prudent protection in some public locations. The American Heart Association encourages people to discuss their risk for sudden cardiac arrest and the home use of an AED with their physician. This is especially important for those who are not candidates for the implantable defibrillator. Family members of those at risk for sudden cardiac arrest should learn to identify signs of cardiac arrest, call 911 immediately, and perform CPR.
For more information on AEDs and to you help decide if you can or wish to use one, please consult your doctor.