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Letter to the editor

Having a heart attack in hospital can be lethal

A study finds defibrillation is delayed for a third of patients admitted for other ailments.

NEW YORK - Just because you're in the hospital doesn't mean you'll quickly get treated if your heart stops beating. About one-third of patients don't get a potentially lifesaving shock within the recommended two minutes, a new study found.

Those who don't get prompt defibrillation are more likely to die or end up brain damaged or disabled, the study showed. For every minute of delay, the chance of survival worsens, researchers reported in today'sNew England Journal of Medicine.

The study used data from a national registry of 369 hospitals, which included 6,789 cases of cardiac arrest. Only cases that occurred in intensive care units or regular units were included, not those in the emergency room or during surgery. More than half the patients were treated in a minute or less, but it took up to six minutes for about 30 percent to be treated. Delays were more likely at smaller hospitals, after hours or on weekends, and for patients who weren't constantly being monitored or were admitted for other ailments.

Dr. Leslie A. Saxon, a cardiologist at the University of Southern California, who wrote in a Journal editorial, advocates use of more automated external defibrillators in hospitals and using wireless technology that allows for more patients to have heart monitors.

"We've made great strides in public access defibrillation and implantable devices. Let's bring this to our hospitalized patients," she said.

[Last modified January 3, 2008, 01:27:02]