The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is dedicated to bringing you the latest news and developments in sudden cardiac arrest prevention and treatment.

Can naloxone improve survival rates of patients with cardiac arrest?

UC Davis Health study identifies link between naloxone administration and outcomes of certain cardiac arrests Peer-Reviewed Publication Patients who overdose on opioids and have a pulse are often given naloxone (Narcan) by first responders, a common life-saving measure. However, emergency medical service (EMS) agencies have different protocols… Read More

PulsePoint partners with Cardiac Arrest Survivor Alliance and Heartsight to address citizen responder mental health

Specially-trained, on-the-ground resources provided by local public safety agencies round out the initiative. PLEASANTON, CA -- Many factors contribute to the psychological distress a lay responder may experience after witnessing a sudden cardiac arrest. These include the unknown or fatal outcome of the patient, the stressful and disorienting… Read More

An implantable sensor could reverse opioid overdoses

The new device, which can be implanted under the skin, rapidly releases naloxone when an overdose is detected Peer-Reviewed Publication In 2023, more than 100,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses. The most effective way to save someone who has overdosed is to administer a drug called naloxone, but a first responder or bystander can’t always… Read More

Welcome new Advisory Council Members

We are grateful that Janese Nichols, DNP, RN, CEN, NPD-BC, and Steven Brooks, MD, MHSc, FRCPC, have joined the SCAF Advisory Council. Janese has over 10 years of experience in emergency nursing and clinical education and two years in the medical device industry, focusing on education in resuscitation and other time-sensitive emergent conditions. … Read More

RescueStat and Boise School District partner to enhance student safety with advanced AED program

BOISE, ID -- RescueStat, a Boise-based healthcare technology company, has partnered with the Boise School District to enhance student safety with a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program. The district is incorporating RescueStat's Scout Remote Monitoring System and Apollo Program Management for advanced readiness and management to the… Read More

Disparities found in survival benefits for people receiving bystander CPR for cardiac arrest

NIH-funded study found Black adults and women had fewer gains A National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported study has found race- and sex-based differences in the increased chances of survival from people who received bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Average survival benefits for cardiac arrest,… Read More

Will ECPR move the needle on cardiac arrest survival?

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) can be defined as the emergent use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on patients in cardiac arrest for whom conventional CPR has failed.  According to some estimates, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is responsible for as many as 313,000 deaths annually in the United States and… Read More

Publication of strongly positive findings demonstrate benefits of innovative Jewel® Patch Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest

“There were no patient deaths or missed episodes requiring external rescue, and high patient compliance enabled a high number of successful life-saving conversions.” SAN FRANCISCO, CA-- Element Science, an innovative health technology company pioneering a digital wearable platform for high-risk cardiovascular patients, today announced the… Read More

Every minute counts: Rapid and accurate prediction model for cardiac arrest treatment

New scoring model enhances early prognosis prediction using prehospital resuscitation data only When it comes to treating cardiac arrest, acting quickly can mean the difference between life and death. Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a new scoring model, using only prehospital resuscitation data, that accurately… Read More

Emergency medicine legend Dr. Michael Copass passes away

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing on Friday, July 26, of Dr. Michael K. Copass, a pioneer in emergency medicine and a cherished member of our community. Dr. Copass, 86, dedicated his career to saving lives and advancing the field of emergency medical care, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of working with him. Dr… Read More