How much does survival rate decrease with each minute of defibrillation delay?

The survival rate for patients experiencing a cardiac arrest decreases by approximately 10% for each minute that defibrillation is delayed. This statistic underscores the critical importance of timely intervention in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, where immediate access to defibrillation can significantly increase the chances of survival.

When a patient goes into cardiac arrest, the heart is unable to effectively pump blood, leading to a lack of oxygenation in vital organs. This situation is time-sensitive; the longer the delay in delivering an electric shock via a defibrillator, the greater the risk of irreversible damage to the heart and brain. Therefore, prompt action is crucial, and the statistic illustrates how every minute counts in improving survival outcomes.

While other options suggest different percentages, they do not accurately reflect the well-documented decrease in survival rates associated with defibrillation delay observed in clinical settings and research.