The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator was associated with 99.2% overall survival during use, with long-term mortality comparable to that of patients receiving a first ICD implant.
Cohort (n=3,569)
Yes
Does the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) provide effective antiarrhythmic treatment and comparable survival to ICDs in at-risk patients?
The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator demonstrates high compliance and high first-shock success for VT/VF, yielding survival rates comparable to traditional ICDs.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine patient compliance and effectiveness of antiarrhythmic treatment by the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD). BACKGROUND: Effectiveness of the WCD for prevention of sudden death is dependent on event type, patient compliance, and appropriate management of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF). METHODS: Compliance and events were recorded in a nationwide registry of post-market release WCDs. Survival, using the Social Security Death Index, was compared with survival in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients. RESULTS: Of 3,569 patients wearing the WCD (age 59.3+/-14.7 years, duration 52.6+/-69.9 days), daily use was 19.9+/-4.7 h (>90% of the day) in 52% of patients. More days of use correlated with higher daily use (p50% of patients and low sudden death mortality during use. Survival was comparable to that of ICD patients. However, asystole was an important cause of mortality in sudden cardiac arrest events.
“Until recently, data regarding the incidence of sudden death and the utility of a wearable defibrillator for patients in these specific scenarios were scant. Also, patient compliance with this device on a large-scale level was a concern.”
Chung et al. (Thu,) conducted a cohort in Risk of sudden cardiac death (n=3,569). Wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) vs. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients was evaluated on Overall survival and long-term mortality. The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator was associated with 99.2% overall survival during use, with long-term mortality comparable to that of patients receiving a first ICD implant.