CINCINNATI, Ohio — Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are critical life-saving devices used during cardiac emergencies, but a lack of compatibility between different brands is creating dangerous delays for emergency responders.
Currently, more than seven major AED brands exist, each using its own proprietary electrode pad system. As a result, emergency responders encounter an incompatible AED six out of seven times, requiring them to remove and replace the existing pads before administering treatment—a delay that could mean the difference between life and death.
According to the American Heart Association, survival rates drop 7-10% for every minute that defibrillation is delayed.
“AEDs are incredible life-saving tools, but the lack of standardization is a major issue,” said Angela Buckalew, CEO and Founder of CorVita. “When emergency responders have to remove the pads already attached to the patient and replace them with their own, valuable time is lost. And it doesn’t just happen once—it can happen again when the patient arrives at the hospital, creating another delay.”
The financial and medical cost of incompatibility
Beyond the immediate risk to patients, AED pad replacements come at a high cost. Each pair of pads costs between $63 and $345, adding financial strain on emergency response teams and hospitals. If the AED brand used at the scene does not match hospital equipment, another pad change is required, further delaying care.
“It’s frustrating that we have life-saving technology, yet we’re still facing this fundamental issue,” Buckalew said. “The industry needs a solution that allows emergency responders to use AEDs seamlessly, regardless of the brand.”
A push for universal compatibility
To eliminate these delays, CorVita is developing a universal AED pad adapter, which would allow compatibility across all major AED brands. The innovation aims to reduce response times, lower costs, and prevent unnecessary pad changes, ultimately saving more lives.
For more information on AED compatibility challenges and CorVita’s proposed solution, visit www.corvitaaed.com.