If the patient is not defibrillated within how many minutes of a cardiac arrest, there is almost no chance for survival?

When considering cardiac arrest, time is a critical factor in determining the patient's chance of survival. Research indicates that effective defibrillation must occur within approximately 8 minutes after the onset of cardiac arrest to optimize the likelihood of a successful outcome and survival. This timeframe is based on the understanding that brain cells begin to die after just a few minutes without oxygen, and the chances of survival drop significantly if defibrillation and advanced medical care are delayed beyond this window.

The 8-minute mark is a guideline that emphasizes the urgency of response in cardiac arrest situations. Rapid intervention that includes CPR and the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) within this timeframe can help restore normal heart rhythm and increase survival rates. As time extends beyond 8 minutes, the probability of meaningful recovery diminishes, making it critical for responders to act swiftly.