Defibrillator Safety Alerts Occur Frequently

The FDA frequently issues safety advisories for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) or portable electronic device used to restore regular heart beat in patients with cardiac arrest. Successful resuscitation of persons with cardiac arrest depends on prompt emergency care, with early defibrillation a key component to improved survival.

Automated external defibrillators are easy to use, but are technically complex devices that occasionally malfunction. Automated external defibrillators were recalled in 9 of the 10 study years, and AED accessories were recalled in 7 of the 10 years studied. No year was advisory free. As the prevalence of AEDs continues to increase, the number of devices affected by advisories can also be expected to increase. Efforts should be directed at developing a reliable system to locate and repair potentially defective devices in a timely fashion. (Medical News Today)