Approximately 365,000 people in North America die each year from sudden cardiac arrest. Without treatment, a victim’s chance for surviving an attack drops 7 to 10 percent for every minute that passes. Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) like the ones produced by Cardiac Science Corp. are able to diagnose the victim’s condition and apply an electrical shock to reestablish a healthy heartbeat.

“We want to be the company people think of first for cardiology products and services that help save lives,” said Joe Hage, director of marketing communications.

The Bothell-based company develops, manufactures and markets a host of therapeutic cardiology technologies, including electrocardiographs, cardiology data management systems, monitoring systems, rehabilitation telemetry systems, cardiac stress systems and treadmills. It also provides training, maintenance, and support services.

In addition to Washington State, Cardiac Science has operations in California, Wisconsin, China, Central Europe, Denmark, France and the United Kingdom and customers in more than 100 countries. Those customers include hospitals, physician offices, schools, corporations, governments and their militaries, municipalities, emergency responders, law enforcement, the hospitality industry, and others. Most of the company’s manufacturing is performed in the U.S.

Taking into account its predecessor companies – Burdick, Quinton, and Cardiac Scienc, Inc. – today’s Cardiac Science Corporation will celebrate its 100th year in business in 2013.

“Innovation, reliable products, and dependable equipment, supplies, and services keep us relevant and growing,” said John Hinson, president and chief executive officer.

Indeed, the company just pre-announced 2008 full year revenues, beating the $200-million mark for the first time in its history, twice the revenues it reported three years ago. Hinson attributes much of the growth to continued expansion of AED sales globally.

Cardiac Science brings a number of firsts to the medical community. Over its long history, the company invented the modern stress test, the single channel interpretative electrocardiograph (ECG), and the first fully automatic bedside defibrillator. It has more than 80 patents associated with its Powerheart AED. Today, company-connecting medical devices, electronic medical record systems (EMRs), hospital information systems (HIS), and other information systems drive its innovation.

New partnerships also drive Cardiac Science sales. In November, the company signed an agreement to make AEDs available to an estimated 4.7 million youths served by Boy Scouts of America in camp sites, recreation facilities, and council offices across the country. Richard Bourlon, BSA’s health and safety team leader, said the agreement will help the youth program reach its goal to provide all of its 300 councils’ camps and offices with AEDs.

“The availability of AEDs and active promotion of CPR and AED education can help every Scout, Scouter, and family member be prepared to assist a victim of sudden cardiac arrest,” said Bourlon.

Individual scout troops can take advantage of the agreement as well, according to George Allen, chairman of BSA’s Health and Safety Support Committee. They will be encouraged to coordinate service projects that will help place AEDs in their schools, chartered organizations and in other locations throughout their community.

“Our partnerships with the Boy Scouts, US Lacrosse, Project Heart Beat, Hoops for Heart Health – all these public access defibrillation partnerships help get defibrillation where it’s needed,” said Hage. “San Diego Project Heart Beat alone has saved more than 50 people. This is important work we’re doing.”

Cardiac Science also signed a deal in 2008 to deploy its AED machines to American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S.

“AED deployments of this magnitude are becoming more common as companies are becoming aware that their emergency preparedness programs are incomplete without accessible defibrillation,” said Hinson.

Hage said the company’s biggest challenge is the same as that of most companies today: the nation’s uncertain economy. Cardiac Science believes success is measured in the number of lives saved, he said; although due to patient privacy laws, this number is difficult to quantify. What the company does have is a growing number of testimonials from people whose lives were saved because an AED was there when it was needed most.

“It is rewarding to be in a business that makes those saves possible,” said Hage.

For more information, visit www.cardiacscience.com or call 425-402-2000.