Usefulness of the wearable cardioverter defibrillator in patients in the early post-myocardial infarction phase with high risk of sudden cardiac death: A single-center European experience

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of the wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) therapy in early post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients remains uncertain. Methods: We analyzed the characteristics and outcomes of patients who received a WCD in the early post-MI phase. Results: Twenty-four patients were followed-up for 8 months (range, 4–16 months). Two patients (8.3%) received appropriate shocks. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved after the WCD therapy (P<0.01). Fourteen patients (58%) received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator at the end of the follow-up period. Conclusion: Early post-MI patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death may benefit from WCD therapy.

Keywords

• Wearable cardioverter defibrillator
• Acute myocardial infarction
• Sudden cardiac death
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator