Could drones carrying defibrillators beat paramedics to heart attacks?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-05-19 07:00

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Automated drones could play a role in improving emergency response to heart attacks that occur outside hospital, according to an international case study. A feasibility study in Sweden saw five drones equipped with defibrillators, which emergency services could then fly to heart attack emergencies in an attempt to beat ambulances to the scene. In the case study, a 71-year-old man who had a heart attack at his home was sent a defibrillator, which was used once by an off-duty emergency doctor who happened to pass by, with an ambulance arriving shortly after. The researchers say while a quick ambulance response and chest compressions from the bystander likely helped the man avoid brain injury, the case shows drones can beat ambulances and potentially could be useful in times of high demand.