The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is dedicated to bringing you the latest news and developments in sudden cardiac arrest prevention and treatment.
Making SCA a Reportable Condition
A Public Policy Change That Could Improve Survival by Mary Newman Sudden unexpected cardiac arrest occurring outside the hospital (OHCA) strikes 295,000 Americans of all ages each year (1). Unfortunately, OHCA survival rates have languished at a dismal 7% for decades (2). OHCA is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. behind all cancers and… Read More
One in Three Survives in Thomasville, Georgia, Thanks to New Device
THOMASVILLE, GA-- Thomas County Emergency Medical Service Co-Director Tim Coram reported to the Board of Commissioners today, Oct 26, that due to the use of new equipment, cardiac arrest survival rates in Thomas County have increased significantly. The new equipment, known as a “Lucas 2 Device” was put into use in April 2010. At that time, Lucas… Read More
Two Trials to Study Use of Hypothermia in Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Patients
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is funding the first large scale, multi-center study to help determine the best treatment for children who are successfully resuscitated after a cardiac arrest. The study, entitled “Therapeutic Hypothermia after Pediatric Cardiac Arrest (THAPCA)”, will evaluate whether regulating the body… Read More
New AHA Guidelines Call for C-A-B
The American Heart Association is re-arranging the ABCs of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in its 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.Recommending that chest compressions be the first step for lay and… Read More
SCA Foundation Announces Fall Video Contest
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation has announced its Fall Video Contest. This year, the SCA Foundation is partnering with the Citizen CPR Foundation to conduct its Fall 2010 Video Contest. Unlike the SCA Foundation’s previous video contests, this one is open to all interested parties, not just students. Videos or public service announcements (… Read More
Give Today and Your Gift Will Go Further
Gifts made on October 13 should be made at www.pittsburghgives.orgWe need your help. In the next 24 hours, more than 800 unsuspecting people from across the United States will collapse suddenly and become the latest victims of sudden cardiac arrest. On average, only 7 percent of them will survive.We find this unacceptable, especially when some… Read More
Paying It Forward: The Chain of Survival in a New Era
PITTSBURGH--On March 3, 2009, James Zoretich, suffered sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Fortunately Moon Township, PA, Police Officer Doug Busch was on duty and he rushed to the rescue to save Jim’s life. Jim later received state-of-the-art post resuscitation care at The Gerald McGinnis Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) at Allegheny General Hospital,… Read More
More Than 40 Organizations Issue Call to Action on Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Groups Gather on Capitol Hill as CPR Turns 50 Years Old WASHINGTON, D.C., October 5, 2010 — In a powerful demonstration of collective standing in the healthcare community, more than 40 organizations gathered on Capitol Hill to issue a call to action in reducing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) deaths. A briefing was organized by the Sudden Cardiac… Read More
Hands-Only CPR Saves More Lives
CHICAGO (AP) — Hands-only CPR doesn't just eliminate the "yuck factor." A new study shows it can save more lives.It's the first large American study to show more adults survived cardiac arrest when a bystander gave them continuous chest presses to simulate a heartbeat, compared to traditional CPR with mouth-to-mouth breathing."Anyone who can… Read More