[The wearable cardiac defibrillator: the meeting point between the latest scientific evidence and clinical applicability]

G Ital Cardiol (Rome). 2021 Sep;22(9):742-750. doi: 10.1714/3660.36451.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

The use of the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator, already widely used in the United States and other European countries, is rapidly spreading in Italy. The population of patients who may benefit from this type of device is very heterogeneous, but they share the transient risk of sudden cardiac death, for which temporary, automatic and non-invasive protection is required. By interpreting the latest scientific evidence and clinical experiences reported in the registries, it is clear that this type of tool is safe, effective and could have an important impact on the reduction of arrhythmic and total mortality in certain patient subsets. Starting from the clinical conditions for which even the guidelines have recognized the usefulness of the device, new opportunities open up where the wearable cardiac defibrillator can be used with the double benefit of protecting the patient from the risk of sudden cardiac death in safety and allows clinicians to have the right time to make the most appropriate long-term therapeutic decisions.

MeSH terms

  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / prevention & control
  • Defibrillators
  • Defibrillators, Implantable*
  • Electric Countershock
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • United States
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*