In-hospital use of automated external defibrillators does not improve survival

The use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) following a cardiac arrest in the out-of-hospital setting has demonstrated increased survival rates, likely because up to 71% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are associated with rhythm disturbances that are able to be treated with defibrillation. It is less clear whether the use of AEDs in the hospital setting would be effective because fewer patients (approximately 25%) have initial cardiac rhythms that respond to defibrillation and because survival may be compromised if the use of AEDs contributes to interruptions in the delivery of chest compressions.