Our Review Summary
This article reports on a study with inconclusive results about the benefits of using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in a home setting.
The article does several things well:
- The article makes clear right from the top that AEDs and CPR were found to be equally effective.
- It provides detailed findings data that help people understand the nature of the study and the magnitude of possible benefit
- It uses a variety of sources with different viewpoints
But it also has one serious flaw: By emphasizing successful use of the device with two elaborations on a single incident–and by interpreting the results data in a positive rather than skeptical light–the report creates a more favorable view of the benefits of home AED use than the study itself calls for.
A key finding of the study is that certain subgroups of high-risk individuals may be well served by a home device. This was not made clear in the article.
Criteria
Satisfactory
The article reports that some home defibrillators can be purchased on the Internet for $1,200.
Satisfactory
The reporter includes useful data from the study, including the number of patients in the study, the number who had cardiac events, the number treated with AED and how survival rates compared between the AED and CPR groups.
It’s worth noting, however, that the New England Journal editorial accompanying the study views the same data in a less positive manner: "The AED was used in 29 unresponsive patients: a shock was advised and delivered in 14 patients, only 4 of whom were long-term survivors."
Not Satisfactory
The report fails to mention the potential harms of using a home AED.
There is the potential/possibility to generate a shock to oneself or bystanders if the AED not used appropriately (the users needs to to say "all clear," for example). There may also be emotional stress and discomfort if a person found down is actually conscious and/or breathing and inappropriately receives a shock. The AED needs upkeep, so there is a potential for a device malfunction or battery failure.
Satisfactory
The news report is based on a trial comparing survival rates in homes with and without AEDs. While this research does not rise to the level of gold-standard, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trail, it is published in a major journal and presented at a major medical meeting.
Despite its inconclusive findings, the study is considered significant in the field. But the story should have explained that this was a randomized clinical trial – and why that’s important.
Not Satisfactory
We’re torn on this criterion. The story does give adequate statistical background information on cardiac arrest. But it uses an anecdote that demonstrates AEDs saving lives. This could have the effect of generating reader anxiety about not having one at home. Given that this study shows no proof of benefit for home use (except for diabetics who have survived a previous heart attack), the choice of the anecdote demonstrating benefit is puzzling.
Satisfactory
The article uses the following sources: the lead author of the study; family members of a patient successfully treated with a defibrillator; a skeptical physician-editorialist; the head of the sponsoring government agency; a company spokesman; and a nurse/American Heart Association spokesperson.
The reporter properly discloses the in-kind contributions the device maker made to the study.
While the patients and the company spokesmen get more prominence than the conclusions of the study deserve, the sourcing is adequate.
Satisfactory
The article correctly indicates that the two options for responding to a heart attack at home are CPR or AED.
Satisfactory
The article makes clear that automated external defibrillators are available for purchase by individuals. It lists a maker’s name.
Satisfactory
The article makes no claims for the novelty of AEDs.
Satisfactory
The article was triggered by publication of the study in the New England Journal of Medicine and its presentation at a cardiology meeting.
Total Score: 8 of 10 Satisfactory
Comments
Please note, comments are no longer published through this website. All previously made comments are still archived and available for viewing through select posts.
Our Comments Policy
But before leaving a comment, please review these notes about our policy.
You are responsible for any comments you leave on this site.
This site is primarily a forum for discussion about the quality (or lack thereof) in journalism or other media messages (advertising, marketing, public relations, medical journals, etc.) It is not intended to be a forum for definitive discussions about medicine or science.
We will delete comments that include personal attacks, unfounded allegations, unverified claims, product pitches, profanity or any from anyone who does not list a full name and a functioning email address. We will also end any thread of repetitive comments. We don”t give medical advice so we won”t respond to questions asking for it.
We don”t have sufficient staffing to contact each commenter who left such a message. If you have a question about why your comment was edited or removed, you can email us at feedback@healthnewsreview.org.
There has been a recent burst of attention to troubles with many comments left on science and science news/communication websites. Read “Online science comments: trolls, trash and treasure.”
The authors of the Retraction Watch comments policy urge commenters:
We”re also concerned about anonymous comments. We ask that all commenters leave their full name and provide an actual email address in case we feel we need to contact them. We may delete any comment left by someone who does not leave their name and a legitimate email address.
And, as noted, product pitches of any sort – pushing treatments, tests, products, procedures, physicians, medical centers, books, websites – are likely to be deleted. We don”t accept advertising on this site and are not going to give it away free.
The ability to leave comments expires after a certain period of time. So you may find that you’re unable to leave a comment on an article that is more than a few months old.
You might also like