RALEIGH, NC. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Every year in the United States more than 350 thousand people suffer cardiac arrest and fewer than 10 percent survive. One of the biggest reasons — time. When a heart stops, every minute without treatment reduces survival by about 10 percent. And despite decades of medical advances that survival rate has changed very little. Now, researchers are testing a first-of-its kind, high-tech way to close that critical gap. AED
In addition to combat zones and firework shows …
These eyes in the sky are taking on a new mission — saving lives.
Monique Starks, MD at Duke University School of Medicine says, “We’ve discovered that the first five minutes matter the most for survival.”
Researchers at Duke Health are testing whether drones can deliver automated external defibrillators, or AEDS, more quickly than emergency crews can respond.
Doctor Starks says, “If we can get treatment within five minutes for a patient with a shockable arrhythmia, survival can be about 50 percent.”
And if an AED can be used within two to three minutes, survival rates rise to as high as 70 percent. But in many communities the average response time by ambulance is seven to 12 minutes in urban areas and can exceed 20 minutes in rural areas. That’s where drones come in.
When a 911 call comes in, a drone is launched at the same time as EMS.
“Once they arrive, the drone flies at about 200 feet, it lowers to 100 feet, and then it winches the AED safely to the ground,” explained Doctor Starks.
The AED is lowered to the ground, and a 911 dispatcher guides a bystander on how to use it.
Bobby Kimbrough, Jr., Sheriff in Forsyth County, NC, says, “The AED drone overview is probably one of the greatest things since sliced bread. I say that because it’s a whole nother level of patient care.”
The goal is simple: Get life-saving equipment into people’s hands faster than ever before.
Sheriff Kimbrough says, “It’s not a bird, not a plane, no, it’s not Superman, but it’s a drone delivering an AED saving lives.”
The trial is currently taking place in Forsyth County, North Carolina, and James City County, Virginia. Results should be available in the summer of 2027, and we will report them right away.
Researchers hope these drones can deliver a life-saving defibrillator in less than five minutes to more than half the people in the study area. If the study is successful … this life-saving technology could expand to communities across the country. The project is funded by the American Heart Association.
Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Producer; Matt Goldschmidt, Videographer; & Roque Correa, Editor.
Source:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5831456/
* For More Information, Contact: Matt Talhelm
Senior Media Relations Strategist
Duke University School of Medicine
