Cardiac Patients at Risk Protected by Wearable Defibrillator

A novel wearable defibrillator protects patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), providing physicians the time needed to assess and optimize therapy.

The LifeVest Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator is designed to protect a wide range of patients, including those who suffered a recent myocardial infarct (MI), coronary revascularization bypass or stent placement surgery, cardiomyopathy, or congestive heart failure (CHF). The LifeVest continuously monitors the patient’s heart and, if a life-threatening heart rhythm is detected, delivers a treatment shock to restore normal heart rhythm. The lightweight vest allows patients to lead a normal life, while having the peace of mind that they are protected from SCA.


Worn under clothing, the LifeVest continuously monitors the patient's heart with dry, nonadhesive sensing electrodes. If a life-threatening cardiac rhythm is detected, the device first alerts the patient prior to delivering an electrical shock, allowing the conscious patient to delay the treatment. If the patient becomes unconscious, the device automatically releases a special gel over the therapy electrodes and delivers an electrical shock to restore normal rhythm. The LifeVest Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator is a product of Zoll Medical Corporation (Zoll, Chelmsford, MA, USA.

“The LifeVest is an important therapy in the continuum of care for patients with heart failure, protecting patients during this time of highest risk while they are being optimized on medical therapy,” said Marshal Linder, President of ZOLL LifeVest. “Continuing to educate the cardiology community about SCA risks associated with heart failure is an important step in protecting more patients and saving more lives.”

Following a PCI procedure, 1 in 5 patients have been shown to be at high risk of early mortality. In post-PCI patients with an ejection fraction (EF) lower than 35%, three-month mortality is 13%, and increases significantly in the presence of other risk factors.

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