More than 340,000 Americans die of sudden cardiac arrest each year. Survival from sudden cardiac arrest is directly linked to time to defibrillation. Survival rates drop by about 10 percent for every minute that defibrillation is delayed. Widespread deployment of AEDs is the only feasible method of achieving early defibrillation, and public access proponents estimate that the broad deployment of AEDs among trained responders could prevent as many as 40,000 unnecessary deaths each year in the United States.

About the American Heart Association
Since 1924 the American Heart Association has helped protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the ravages of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, claim more than 930,000 American lives a year. The association invested more than $439 million in fiscal year 2003-04 for research, professional and public education, and advocacy so people across America can live stronger, longer lives. The American Heart Association awarded more than $10 million in new research grants in Boston alone in the past year.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $37.7 billion (EUR 30.4 billion) in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 159,200 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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