A groundbreaking trial in Sweden has demonstrated that drones can deliver defibrillators significantly faster than ambulances to individuals experiencing cardiac arrest. This innovative approach shows promise in improving survival rates for cardiac arrest patients, provided there is someone nearby trained in CPR.
The trial, conducted by Andreas Claesson and his team at the Karolinska Institute, in collaboration with drone operator Everdrone and emergency services in western Sweden, revealed that drones reached patients before ambulances in 67% of the 55 cases studied. On average, drones arrived 3 minutes and 14 seconds faster than ambulances.
Time is crucial when treating cardiac arrest, as using a defibrillator to administer an electrical shock within 3 to 5 minutes can result in survival rates as high as 70%. However, less than 2% of patients receive defibrillator treatment before emergency services arrive, with each minute of delay reducing survival chances by 10%.
The trial’s findings highlight the potential of drones to bridge this critical time gap, significantly enhancing the chances of survival for cardiac arrest patients.
