[The Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (WCD) for the prevention of XXXX -- a single center experience].

@entity1 @entity1164 @entity1479 @entity1165 @entity1167 @entity583 @entity943
The Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (WCD) is an external defibrillator that automatically detects and treats @entity1165 without the need for assistance from a bystander while at the same time allowing the @entity1 to ambulate freely. The main components of the system are the defibrillator unit and a chest belt with electrodes for @entity943 detection and therapy delivery. Between December 1998 and October 2001, 84 @entity1 used the device at our institution. The majority of @entity1 had a history of acute @entity583 or coronary artery bypass surgery with an increased risk for @entity1164 or were awaiting heart transplantation. During a mean follow-up of 116+/-90 days, 7 episodes of @entity1165 were detected and terminated successfully by the WCD in 5 @entity1 . In 9720 days, there was one inappropriate shock due to oversensing of electrical noise. Four @entity1 died during follow-up; none of them had a @entity1167 while wearing the device. Five @entity1 were excluded because of irregularities in device use. An @entity1479 was implanted in 24 @entity1 at the end of the follow-up period. The WCD is effective in detecting and treating @entity1165 in @entity1 with an intermittently increased risk for @entity1164 . Further use of the system in larger @entity1 populations is needed to confirm its safety and cost effectiveness.
