Fatality from MI remains formidably high, with 50 per cent of patients who die after an acute coronary occlusion doing so within the first hour after the onset of symptoms (Rawles, 1997). Death is commonly due to the dysrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation.
The risk of sudden death is highest at the onset of symptoms and declines progressively over a number of hours (Resuscitation Council UK, 2000). This is why individuals need early access to defibrillation in the event of cardiac arrest (Department of Health, 2000).