The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator: current technology and evolving indications

Europace. 2017 Mar 1;19(3):335-345. doi: 10.1093/europace/euw180.

Abstract

The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator has been available for over a decade and now is frequently prescribed for patients deemed at high arrhythmic risk in whom the underlying pathology is potentially reversible or who are awaiting an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. The use of the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator is included in the new 2015 ESC guidelines for the management of ventricular arrhythmias and prevention of sudden cardiac death. The present review provides insight into the current technology and an overview of this approach.

Keywords: External defibrillation; Life vest; Sudden cardiac death; Ventricular arrhythmias; Wearable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / economics
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / mortality
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / therapy*
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / prevention & control*
  • Defibrillators* / economics
  • Diffusion of Innovation
  • Electric Countershock / adverse effects
  • Electric Countershock / economics
  • Electric Countershock / instrumentation*
  • Electric Countershock / mortality
  • Equipment Design
  • Health Care Costs
  • Humans
  • Patient Compliance
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome