2024, Number 3
Cardiovasc Metab Sci 2024; 35 (3)
The automatic external defibrillators records: another useful resource to take into consideration to create a national registry of out of hospital cardiac arrest in Mexico
Álvarez-de la Cadena-Sillas, Jorge; Asensio-Lafuente, Enrique; Rodríguez-Reyes, Humberto; Urzúa-González, Agustín; Martínez-Duncker, David
ABSTRACT
The increased use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and the creation of cardio protected areas in the world and in Mexico contribute to increased survival rates after Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA). When used, the AED records not only the heart rhythm, but also information about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the unconscious victim. This data could be important and useful for further diagnosis and treatment. However, there are also some legal questions regarding the use of this information and how it should be managed. To this purpose we suggest the creation of a National Registry of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (RENAPACE, for its acronym in Spanish) to handle the AED data. That information could serve for several purposes: 1. Guarantee the availability of data in Mexico for the care of patients who survive an episode of OHCA. 2. To monitor the quality in the use of the AED. 3. Scientific research. 4. To help create a more concise registry of the cause of death and push to include the term "sudden cardiac death" in death certificates. Creating a national AED registry requires, medical and political will and could confront economical, political, legal and organizational problems to address. There are some cities in Mexico developing this program.