TY - JOUR
T1 - Drones delivering automated external defibrillators for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
T2 - A scoping review
AU - Jakobsen, Louise Kollander
AU - Kjærulf, Victor
AU - Bray, Janet
AU - Olasveengen, Theresa Mariero
AU - Folke, Fredrik
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors
PY - 2025/1
Y1 - 2025/1
N2 - UNLABELLED: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a critical health concern, where prompt access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) significantly improves survival. This scoping review broadly investigates the feasibility and impact of dronedelivered AEDs for OHCA response.METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched from inception to August 6, 2024, with eligibility broadly including empirical data. The charting process involved iterative data extraction for thematic analysis.RESULTS: We identified 306 titles and, after duplicate removal, title/abstract screening, and full text review, included 39 studies. These were divided into three categories: 1) Real-world observational studies (n = 3), 2) Test flights/simulation studies and qualitative analyses (n = 15), and 3) Computer/prediction models (n = 21). Real-world studies demonstrated the feasibility of drone AED delivery, with a time advantage of 01:52 - 03:14 min over ambulances observed in 64-67 % of cases. Test flight/simulation and qualitative studies consistently reported feasibility and positive bystander experiences. Computer/prediction models exhibited considerable heterogeneity, yet all indicated significant time savings for AED delivery compared to traditional EMS methods. Moreover, seven studies estimated improved survival rates, with five assessing cost-effectiveness and favouring drone systems. Regional factors such as EMS response times, volunteer responder programmes, terrain, weather, and budget constraints influenced the system's effectiveness.CONCLUSION: Across all categories, studies confirmed the feasibility of drone-delivered AED systems, with significant potential for reducing time to AED arrival compared to EMS arrival. Prediction models suggested enhanced survival alongside costeffectiveness. Further research, including more extensive real-world studies and regulatory advancements, is imperative to integrate drones effectively into OHCA response systems.
AB - UNLABELLED: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a critical health concern, where prompt access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) significantly improves survival. This scoping review broadly investigates the feasibility and impact of dronedelivered AEDs for OHCA response.METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched from inception to August 6, 2024, with eligibility broadly including empirical data. The charting process involved iterative data extraction for thematic analysis.RESULTS: We identified 306 titles and, after duplicate removal, title/abstract screening, and full text review, included 39 studies. These were divided into three categories: 1) Real-world observational studies (n = 3), 2) Test flights/simulation studies and qualitative analyses (n = 15), and 3) Computer/prediction models (n = 21). Real-world studies demonstrated the feasibility of drone AED delivery, with a time advantage of 01:52 - 03:14 min over ambulances observed in 64-67 % of cases. Test flight/simulation and qualitative studies consistently reported feasibility and positive bystander experiences. Computer/prediction models exhibited considerable heterogeneity, yet all indicated significant time savings for AED delivery compared to traditional EMS methods. Moreover, seven studies estimated improved survival rates, with five assessing cost-effectiveness and favouring drone systems. Regional factors such as EMS response times, volunteer responder programmes, terrain, weather, and budget constraints influenced the system's effectiveness.CONCLUSION: Across all categories, studies confirmed the feasibility of drone-delivered AED systems, with significant potential for reducing time to AED arrival compared to EMS arrival. Prediction models suggested enhanced survival alongside costeffectiveness. Further research, including more extensive real-world studies and regulatory advancements, is imperative to integrate drones effectively into OHCA response systems.
KW - AED
KW - Automated external defibrillator
KW - Drone
KW - OHCA
KW - Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
KW - Scoping review
KW - UAV
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85212660849&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.resplu.2024.100841
DO - 10.1016/j.resplu.2024.100841
M3 - Review
C2 - 39811468
AN - SCOPUS:85212660849
SN - 2666-5204
VL - 21
JO - Resuscitation plus
JF - Resuscitation plus
M1 - 100841
ER -