The history of automated external defibrillator has generated success stories in the revival of patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmias of the ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. The automated external defibrillator has shown its essential purpose in saving thousands of lives in the past few decades. Since the automated external defibrillator's development in the 1940's, the AED has had major technical modifications and changes in accessibility.



Improvements in the History of Automated External Defibrillator

An alternating current was used in conjunction with earlier models of the AED. In 1947, one of the first AEDs was used on a human with successful results. Newer modifications of the AED opened doors to safer procedures such as closed chest defibrillation, where electrodes were sent via the chest wall of tested laboratory animals. The method was then applied to human patients and ended up successful.

After the first demonstrations conducted in the history of automated external defibrillator, three more devices were developed in conjunction with CPR. These utilized the alternating current method and called for an opening of the chest cavity. This was observed to be an uncomfortable procedure.

The closed chest direct current defibrillators were therefore developed. These showed significant effectiveness and posed lower risks of unwanted side effects. The development utilized electrodes that where conducted externally on the chest. Further designs were developed for internal and external performances.

Availability in the History of Automated External Defibrillator

The history of automated external defibrillator contains a significant change in accessibility. In the beginning, the AED was being used among scientists and researches hoping to find ways to treat conditions linked with sudden death in individuals. Early studies were conducted around power utility workers, who had one of the highest mortality rates due to ventricular fibrillation.

Later designs of the AED then found their way to hospitals. AEDs were accessible only to medical personnel and paramedics. During this time, the common scenario was paramedic staff attempting to revive the patient with the device while rushing to the hospital in an ambulance.

Nowadays AEDs are highly accessible in most public places including healthcare, government, educational and recreational establishments. Locations frequented by more individuals with higher risks of cardiac arrest such as males over 50 call for accessible AEDs. The availability of AED in these places is considered crucial.

Today, AEDs can be purchased and are accessible at home. This makes it suitable for those who have a history of cardiac arrest but are not residing in a hospital. However, some medical professionals have been concerned over the success of the AED's use when conducted by an untrained individual.

At first, using defibrillation at home was not a comfortable idea. Later in the history of automated external defibrillator though, more and more individuals were purchasing and using AEDs at home. The technologically advanced medical equipment has proved to be essential and widely used in hospitals, healthcare centers and even in most commercial establishments.