The moving front-page story about the use of an automatic external defibrillator to resuscitate an athletic trainer who collapsed on the field brings up the importance of AEDs in public venues (“Winslow athletic trainer saved this umpire’s life,” May 29).   

Up to 30% of heart attack victims have “sudden cardiac death” as their initial symptom, due to abrupt closure of a coronary artery causing the development of an erratic abnormal and ineffective heart rhythm. CPR needs to be immediately started to maintain some blood flow mechanically, but the most effective treatment is an electric shock to the heart using a cardiac defibrillator. This portable device can jolt the fibrillating heart back into normal rhythm resulting in some return of blood flow to the brain and other important organs. 

Over the past 30 years, the use of AEDs by the general public, while awaiting EMT, has been facilitated by placing them in many public places such as airports, on playing fields and in gyms around the country. When turned on, the device delivers clear, spoken instructions that are easy to follow. Attaching the AED to the patient takes moments, as does the time for the device to analyze the heart rhythm and inform the user of the next step, either to shock or no need for shock. Use of the the device saves time, brain cells and lives.   

I strongly recommend that everybody consider taking a class in CPR and the use of AEDs, offered regularly and online by the American Heart Association and other organizations.   

Alison Fulmer, MD
Portland