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Prescribe the LifeVest

The 2017 AHA/ACC/HRS Guidelines include recommended use of the WCD for a wide range of patients at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD).6

Click below to review the recommendations:

ICD Explant
Newly Diagnosed NICM
Post-MI
Post-PCI/CABG
Pre-Cardiac Transplant

ICD Explant

In patients with an ICD and a history of SCA or sustained VA [ventricular arrhythmia] in whom removal of the ICD is required (as with infection), the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator is reasonable for the prevention of SCD.Class IIa; Level of Evidence B-NR

Newly Diagnosed NICM

In patients at an increased risk of SCD but who are not ineligible for an ICD, such as awaiting cardiac transplant, having an LVEF of 35% or less and are within 40 days from an MI, or have newly diagnosed NICM, revascularization within the past 90 days, myocarditis or secondary cardiomyopathy or a systemic infection, wearable cardioverter-defibrillator may be reasonable.Class IIb; Level of Evidence B-NR

Post-MI

In patients at an increased risk of SCD but who are not ineligible for an ICD, such as awaiting cardiac transplant, having an LVEF of 35% or less and are within 40 days from an MI, or have newly diagnosed NICM, revascularization within the past 90 days, myocarditis or secondary cardiomyopathy or a systemic infection, wearable cardioverter-defibrillator may be reasonable.Class IIb; Level of Evidence B-NR

Post-PCI/CABG

In patients at an increased risk of SCD but who are not ineligible for an ICD, such as awaiting cardiac transplant, having an LVEF of 35% or less and are within 40 days from an MI, or have newly diagnosed NICM, revascularization within the past 90 days, myocarditis or secondary cardiomyopathy or a systemic infection, wearable cardioverter-defibrillator may be reasonable.Class IIb; Level of Evidence B-NR

Pre-Cardiac Transplant

In patients at an increased risk of SCD but who are not ineligible for an ICD, such as awaiting cardiac transplant, having an LVEF of 35% or less and are within 40 days from an MI, or have newly diagnosed NICM, revascularization within the past 90 days, myocarditis or secondary cardiomyopathy or a systemic infection, wearable cardioverter-defibrillator may be reasonable.Class IIb; Level of Evidence B-NR

ICD Explant
Newly Diagnosed NICM
Post-MI
Post-PCI/CABG
Pre-Cardiac Transplant
EXPLORE MORE SOCIETY RECOMMENDATIONS

Clinical evidence has clearly shown that low-EF patients benefit from WCD protection during the period of highest SCD risk following a heart attack, new diagnosis of heart failure, or other acute cardiac event. These guidelines highlight the need for electrophysiologists to partner with our interventional cardiologist and heart failure specialist colleagues to implement screening protocols to identify all low-EF patients who should be offered WCD therapy in the early period after a cardiac event.

- Rahul Doshi, MD, Director of Electrophysiology
Keck Medical Center of University of Southern California
READ THE PRESS RELEASE

Inclusion of the WCD in these guidelines is a call to action for clinicians to identify all patients who are indicated for the therapy. By setting this standard in our practices and institutions, we can ensure that all indicated patients are protected during the period of highest SCD risk while we determine their best long-term care plan.

- David E. Kandzari, MD, Director of Interventional Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research, Piedmont Heart Institute
Following a cardiac event, risk of SCD is highest in the first 90 days.2,3 Get the full WCD Clinical Story.
WATCH THE VIDEO

References

1. Halkin A et al. Prediction of mortality after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction: CADILLAC risk score. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;45:1397–1405.

2. Solomon SD et al. Sudden death in patients with myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, or both. NEJM 2005;352:2581–2588.

3. Adabag AS et al. Sudden death after myocardial infarction. JAMA 2008;300(17):2022–2029.

4. Kutyifa V et al. Use of the wearable cardioverter defibrillator in high-risk cardiac patients: Data from the prospective registry of patients using the wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WEARIT-II Registry). Circulation 2015;132(17):1613–1619.

5. Kutyifa V et al. One-year follow-up of the prospective registry of patients using the wearable defibrillator (WEARIT-II Registry). Presented as late breaking clinical trial at the 2016 CARDIOSTIM EHRA EUROPACE Congress, June 10, 2016.

6. Al-Khatib SM et al. 2017 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death. J Am Coll Cardiol 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.jack.2017.10.054.