Wearable Cardioverter–Defibrillators following Cardiac Surgery—A Single-Center Experience

Heimeshoff and colleagues retrospectively analyzed the function of wearable cardioverter-defibrillators (WCDs) provided for 100 patients after cardiac surgery. Patients received a WCD if their left ventricular ejection fraction was 35% or lower, or if their implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) had been explanted. Left ventricular ejection fraction was improved from 28.9 ± 8% after surgery to 36.7 ± 11% at follow-up (p < 0.001). Ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 13% of patients. Three patients were successfully defibrillated, and WCDs did not give any inappropriate shocks. After the wearing period for the WCD was complete, 25 patients had an ICD implanted. The authors conclude that WCDs were effective in protecting patients against postoperative ventricular tachyarrhythmias.