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Review
. 2011 Apr;7(2):277-86, ix-x.
doi: 10.1016/j.hfc.2011.01.004.

Optimizing community resources to address sudden cardiac death

Younghoon Kwon  1 , Tom P Aufderheide
Affiliations
Review

Optimizing community resources to address sudden cardiac death

Younghoon Kwon et al. Heart Fail Clin. 2011 Apr.

Abstract

The "chain of survival" (early access, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation, early defibrillation, and early advanced care) defines the proven interventions necessary for successful resuscitation and survival of patients with cardiac arrest. Low survival rates from cardiac arrest are not due to lack of understanding of effective interventions, but instead are due to weak links in the chain of survival and the inability of communities to make sure these links function in an efficient, timely, and coordinated fashion. This article reviews how quality is defined for each link, how communities can strengthen each link, and how communities can forge a strong relationship between each link. By optimizing local leadership and stakeholder collaboration, communities have the potential to vastly improve outcomes from this devastating disease.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
The chain of survival. The chain of survival defines the proven interventions necessary for successful resuscitation and survival for patients with cardiac arrest. (Adapted from Cummins RO, Ornato JP, Thies WH, et al. Improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest: the “chain of survival” concept. A statement for health professionals from the Advanced Cardiac Life Support Subcommittee and the Emergency Cardiac Care Committee, American Heart Association. Circulation 1991;83:1833; with permission.)
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