Medtronic Lawyerss, Williams Kherkher

Surviving Cardiac Arrest

Studies suggest that CPR is attempted approximately 32% of the time. However, when CPR is performed, it is only done correctly half of the time. Younger people are more likely to have CPR performed on them prior to the arrival of emergency medical services.

CPR is also more likely to be performed in a public place than a private home. Health care professionals are responsible for more than 50% of out of hospital resuscitation attempts. Research reveals that CPR is generally performed by a person with no connection to the person. Victims who suffer a trauma are less likely to receive CPR than those who suffer from a medical cause.

CPR must be commenced within 6 minutes after blood flow ceases to be effective. After that time, permanent brain cell damage will occur if fresh blood enters cells which have become dormant. When a victim is exposed to extreme cold temperatures, the body’s need for oxygen is reduced. There have been cases where CPR, defibrillation, and warming techniques revived victims after long periods of hypothermia. Currently, there are many ongoing studies of correlation between temperature and CPR.

If used alone, very few will recover with CPR, and those that do will suffer complications. On average, 5-10% of CPR-only cases survive. CPR is not intended to start the heart but rather allow circulation to remain, so that the brain is kept alive until a defibrillator can start the heart. EMS professionals stress the importance of quick action of CPR followed by defibrillation.

If you or a loved one has been implanted with a Medtronic defibrillator featuring defective Sprint Fidelis leads, contact the medtronic lawsuit lawyers of Williams & Kherker at 800-761-3187 for a free consultation.