Silent Death or Immediate Rescue? The Case for AEDs in Iran’s Fight Against Cardiac Arrest

June 9, 2025 – On the second day of the 26th Iran Health Exhibition, medical experts raised urgent concerns over the alarming mortality rates from cardiovascular disease, calling for a nationwide awareness campaign and accelerated deployment of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) across the country.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for roughly 33% of global fatalities. Of these, 1620% are attributed to sudden cardiac arrest, with 80% due to arrhythmias treatable by defibrillation. Studies show that using an AED within 35 minutes of cardiac arrest can increase survival rates up to 70%, yet currently, only 10% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims survive—primarily due to delays in CPR and lack of AED access.

Panelists at the exhibition stressed that cardiac mortality in Iran is three to six times higher than deaths from COVID-19, yet the response has been far less urgent. They highlighted that 70% of cardiac deaths in Iran occur outside hospitals, and the average age of heart attack victims has dropped below 60 years.

Efforts are now underway to equip emergency services nationwide with domestically produced AEDs featuring Wi-Fi connectivity and rechargeable or disposable batteries. Less than 5,000 devices have been installed to date, but there are plans to fully equip ambulances and emergency centers by year’s end, followed by installations in high-traffic public spaces such as metro stations, airports, shopping centers, and stadiums. The introduction of a home-use AED model further supports widespread public access.

The 26th Iran Health Exhibition, held from June 8 to 11, 2025, at the Iran International Exhibition Center, brings together 580 domestic and international companies and features 45 side events and specialized sessions, all aiming to showcase and advance innovations in healthcare technology.

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