Abstract
The wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) or LifeVest may protect against sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients awaiting insertion of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The purpose of this communication is to review the rationale behind WCD therapy and to critically analyze recent data regarding its clinical efficacy. We seek to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the potential role of the WCD in certain populations. The only randomized controlled trial that evaluated WCD therapy did not demonstrate a reduced rate of arrhythmic death in patients prescribed the WCD during the first 90-day post-myocardial infarction (MI). However, when considering trial results alongside previous retrospective data, patient noncompliance with WCD therapy-rather than ineffectiveness of WCD therapy-remains an important theme. The uncertainty of data regarding the use of WCD therapy in patients during ICD waiting periods should be considered as part of the shared decision processes between healthcare providers and patients. Higher rates of adherence are needed to ensure efficiency. Well-designed future studies with appropriate cost-effectiveness analyses are indicated to define the clinical efficacy of WCD therapy on arrhythmic and non-arrhythmic morbidity and mortality in patients who are not yet candidates for ICDs.
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