Automated external defibrillators: safety and efficacy in children and adolescents

Dianne L Atkins; Melanie A Kenney

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2004.04.006

Automated external defibrillators: safety and efficacy in children and adolescents

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2004 Oct;51(5):1443-62. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2004.04.006.

Authors

Dianne L Atkins¹, Melanie A Kenney

Affiliation

¹ Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. dianne-atkins@uiowa.edu

PMID: 15331293
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2004.04.006

Abstract

Although children do not suffer from ventricular fibrillation (VF) as frequently as adults, it does occur in 10% to 20% of pediatric cardiac arrests. The technology is available to recognize and treat ventricular fibrillation in children as quickly as we can for adults. This article discusses the evidence to support automated external defibrillator use in young children. As this technology gains increased acceptance, resuscitation rates and outcomes for VF in children should approach those that are seen in adults.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Algorithms
Animals
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / complications
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / therapy*
Child
Death, Sudden, Cardiac / etiology
Death, Sudden, Cardiac / prevention & control
Electric Countershock
Humans
Resuscitation
Safety
Sensitivity and Specificity