Abstract
Background
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a serious threat to human life and health,
characterized by high morbidity and mortality. However, given the limitations of the
current emergency medical system (EMS), it is difficult to immediately treat patients
who experience OHCA. It is well known that rapid defibrillation after cardiac arrest
is essential for improving the survival rate of OHCA, yet automated external defibrillators
(AED) are difficult to obtain in a timely manner.
Objective
This review illustrates the feasibility and advantages of AED delivery by drones by
surveying current studies on drones, explains that drones are a new strategy in OHCA,
and finally proposes novel strategies to address existing problems with drone systems.
Results
The continuous development of drone technology has been beneficial for patients who
experience OHCA, as drones have demonstrated powerful capabilities to provide rapid
delivery of AED. Drones have great advantages over traditional EMS, and the delivery
of AED by drones for patients with OHCA is a new strategy. However, the application
of this new strategy in real life still has many challenges.
Conclusion
Drones are promising and innovative tools. Many studies have demonstrated that AED
delivery by drones is feasible and cost-effective; however, as a new strategy to improve
the survival rate of OHCA patients, there remain problems to be solved. In the future,
more in-depth investigations need to be conducted.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 16, 2022
Accepted:
December 12,
2022
Received in revised form:
December 9,
2022
Received:
September 21,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
