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Review
. 2022 Nov;111(11):1189-1197.
doi: 10.1007/s00392-022-02003-4. Epub 2022 Mar 19.

Sudden cardiac death while waiting: do we need the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator?

Carsten Israel  1 , Ingo Staudacher  2   3 , Christophe Leclercq  4 , Giovanni Luca Botto  5 , Daniel Scherr  6 , Andreas Fach  7 , Firat Duru  8   9 , Maura M Zylla  2   3   10 , Hugo A Katus  2   3   10 , Dierk Thomas  11   12   13
Affiliations
Review

Sudden cardiac death while waiting: do we need the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator?

Carsten Israel et al. Clin Res Cardiol. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the most frequent cause of cardiovascular death in industrialized nations. Patients with cardiomyopathy are at increased risk for SCD and may benefit from an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The risk of SCD is highest in the first months after myocardial infarction or first diagnosis of severe non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. On the other hand, left ventricular function may improve in a subset of patients to such an extent that an ICD might no longer be needed. To offer protection from a transient risk of SCD, the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) is available. Results of the first randomized clinical trial investigating the role of the WCD after myocardial infarction were recently published. This review is intended to provide insight into data from the VEST trial, and to put these into perspective with studies and clinical experience. As a non-invasive, temporary therapy, the WCD may offer advantages over early ICD implantation. However, recent data demonstrate that patient compliance and education play a crucial role in this new concept of preventing SCD.

Keywords: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; Myocardial infarction; Sudden cardiac death; Ventricular tachycardia; Wearable cardioverter-defibrillator.

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Conflict of interest statement

C.W.I. reports receiving travel grants from Medtronic and Zoll CMS, lecture fees/honoraria from Abbott/St. Jude Medical, Biotronik, Boston-Scientific, Medtronic, MicroPort/Sorin and ZOLL CMS, and being a member of the advisory board of Medtronic and Zoll CMS. I.S. reports receiving an Educational Grant from Boston Scientific and consultation fees from ZOLL CMS. G.L.B. reports receiving lecture fees/honoraria from Bayer Healthcare, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma, Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi-Aventis, Abbott/ St. Jude Medical, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and ZOLL CMS. M.Z. reports receiving travel grants from Medtronic and ZOLL CMS. D.T. reports receiving lecture fees/honoraria from Bayer Vital, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Medtronic, Pfizer Pharma, Sanofi-Aventis, St. Jude Medical/Abbott, and ZOLL CMS.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Key results from the VEST Trial. ITT intention-to-treat, CI confidence interval
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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