University of Pittsburgh's National Center for Early Defibrillation to Host Congress Devoted to Use of AEDs; Oct. 22 -24 in Washington

9/29/2003

From: Maureen McGaffin or Lisa Rossi, 412-647-3555 both of the University of Pittsburgh

News Advisory:

Every hour in the United States 42 people suffer from sudden cardiac arrest. Many lives could be saved through the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). To drive home this point, 42 people whose lives were saved by AEDs have been invited to convene with leading medical experts, AED program coordinators and health advocates for the Congress of Champions and Survivor Summit, a meeting sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh National Center for Early Defibrillation (NCED), a non-profit information clearinghouse that is devoted to improving access to rapid defibrillation. The meeting will be held Oct. 22 - 24 at the Hyatt Regency, Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C.

A highlight of the conference will be a forum devoted to federal regulatory issues that impact the use of AEDs with representatives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration participating. Other topics to be discussed include current scientific research; legislative and liability issues that impact AED programs; psychological issues facing AED rescuers; implementation of community-wide AED programs and AED programs in on-site locations such as schools, businesses, airports and neighborhoods.

An AED is a small, portable device that analyzes heart rhythms and advises the operator, through computerized voice instructions, when to push a button to deliver a potentially lifesaving shock to a victim in cardiac arrest. They are safe, effective and easy to use. Most AEDs today are no bigger than a laptop computer and weigh less than 10 pounds. Many experts agree that if a victim can receive a shock within a few minutes of collapse, they stand a much better chance for survival.

"Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. That is why it is so important for as many people as possible to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as well as how to use an AED. With every minute from collapse, a person's chance for survival drops 10 percent. If a victim is not shocked within 10 minutes, there virtually is no chance for survival," says Vincent N. Mosesso, Jr., M.D., associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and medical director of the NCED.

During the conference, the NCED Survivor Network and the NCED Ambassadors for Early Defibrillation also will be launched. The NCED Survivor Network will consist of survivors of sudden cardiac arrest, while the NCED Ambassadors for Early Defibrillation will consist of advocates and supporters of early defibrillation programs. Many of these people include those who lost a loved one from sudden cardiac arrest. Several parents who lost children have been successful placing AEDs in schools and will attend the meeting to share their personal experiences.

"The purpose of the NCED Survivor Network is to help survivors and their loved ones cope with the life-changing event of sudden cardiac arrest, seek appropriate follow-up care, and ideally become advocates for greater public awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and its prevention and treatment. Survivors who are interested in focusing their efforts on early defibrillation initiatives will be invited to join the NCED Ambassadors for Early Defibrillation. This forum will provide a platform for supporters of AED programs to develop and share information and resources designed to improve access to early defibrillation. Together these programs should help bring national attention to the public health crisis of sudden cardiac arrest," says Mary Newman, executive director of the NCED.

The Survivor Summit, which is supported by an educational grant from The Medtronic Foundation, will provide a forum for survivors of sudden cardiac arrest to share their experiences and participate in workshops that support their needs. During the Survivor Summit the group also will meet with legislators at a congressional briefing from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, in the Cannon Caucus Room 345, Cannon Office Building, to personally thank them for their support of early defibrillation programs.

The NCED, which is based at the University of Pittsburgh, was established in January 2000 with initial funding from The Medtronic Foundation and is the only national clearinghouse dedicated to providing comprehensive information on sudden cardiac arrest and early defibrillation. The NCED also is manufacturer-neutral; it does not endorse any one manufacturer or product.

The NCED's mission is to foster optimal immediate care for victims of sudden cardiac arrest by providing leadership, expertise and information related to early defibrillation. The NCED's vision is to be recognized as a national leader and the premier resource center dedicated to the development of quality early defibrillation efforts.

More information about the NCED and Congress of Champions and Survivor Summit is available at http://www.early-defib.org.

Note to reporters: Members of the media who wish to make hotel accommodations or register for the NCED Congress of Champions and Survivor Summit, please contact Kathleen Stage-Kern at stage@pitt.edu or call 866-AED-INFO. Contact information for the press room will be made available soon.