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A new AED law is saving lives at New York schools. In May 2002, the state approved legislation requiring defibrillators at schools in all public school districts. Seven months later, a school AED purchased over the summer saved the life of a 16-year-old student who suddenly collapsed in a classroom. Using CPR and AEDs to Prevent Tragedy A new study from Oslo, Norway, underscores the importance of CPR when defibrillation is delayed more than five minutes. Recently published data on 200 patients with life-threatening ventricular fibrillation outside a hospital or other medical setting show no significant difference in survival among those receiving prompt defibrillation versus those having CPR prior to defibrillation. However, with longer ambulance response time (more than five minutes), survival rates were higher for those who received three minutes of CPR prior to defibrillation and then three-minute intervals of CPR between defibrillation attempts. In the randomized trial, 96 patients received immediate defibrillation by ambulance personnel. In the second group, 104 patients received three minutes of CPR by ambulance personnel prior to defibrillation. Of the 37 patients who survived to hospital discharge, 33 had no or minor reductions in neurological status. NHW readers know ventricular fibrillation (VF) strikes suddenly and without warning. If treatment with a defibrillator to restart the heart is not given in time, the heart will completely stop and, unfortunately, sudden cardiac death will result. Keeping Kids Fit for Life The twin evils of inactivity and overeating are cited as the root of the dramatic rise in adult onset diabetes in American youth. Cutbacks in education have often resulted in school districts giving physical education classes the boot. AEDs Protect Young Hearts, Too Sudden cardiac arrest can occur at any age, even in apparently healthy children. In February, a reduced-energy electrode developed by Medtronic Physio-Control Corporation was approved for use on children younger than eight years old. Understanding Statins This year, America's largest annual award in medicine--The Albany Medical Center Prize--honors two researchers whose groundbreaking studies help explain how statin drugs prevent cholesterol from accumulating in the bloodstream. Lead Levels and Hypertension A new study highlights the harmful effects of lead exposure. Johns Hopkins researchers report that lead levels well below current exposure standards are linked to increases in blood pressure readings in women ages 40 to 59. Blood lead levels can rise during menopause as lead is released from bones. The study is the first to document adverse health impacts as a consequence of bone lead release. About Atrial Fibrillation Atrial fibrillation is far different from life-threatening ventricular fibrillation, explains NHW editor-in-chief and heart rhythm expert Dr. Douglas Zipes. Easing Chronic Angina Pain In March, a 61-year-old Indianapolis man became the first patient in the United States to undergo a promising new treatment to ease the unremitting pain of chronic or refractory angina. The STARTSTIM (Stimulation Therapy for Angina Refractory To Standard Treatments, Interventions, and Medications) trial targets individuals with severe, recurrent episodes of chest pain resulting from lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.
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