Ms Shirley Chan, Founder of SADS HK and PolyU Council Member (centre); Prof. Amy Fu, Peter Hung Professor in Pain Management, Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (2nd from left); Dr Richard Xu, Assistant Professor; (1st from left); Dr Siu Yuet-chung, Axel, Specialist in Emergency Medicine and Advisory Member of SADS HK (2nd from right) and Yin, an SADS recovered patient (1st from right)Zoom In

PolyU has recently partnered with the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes HK (SADS HK) Foundation and the Hong Kong Fire Services Department on an important study. Analysing approximately 30,000 cases from 2020 to 2023, the research team investigated the incidence, locations, and public utilisation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) among those aged 40 and below.

 

According to Dr Richard Xu, Assistant Professor of the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, the study identified a 4.65% increase in young OHCA cases compared to previous analyses undertaken between 2017 and 2020.

 

Prof. Amy Fu, Peter Hung Professor in Pain Management and Associate Head and Professor, revealed that nearly half of the young OHCA cases occurred at home - averaging three per week. She cautioned that survival rates drop sharply with delayed treatment.

 

The study aims to raise awareness and knowledge on AED locations and encourage the public to engage in AED first aid.