Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
16:40

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation

Published on: February 28, 2012

A patient with severely reduced LV function and electrical storm saved by wearable cardioverter-defibrillator: a case

Margit Strauss1, Kleopatra Kouraki, Alexandros Skarlos

  • 1Herzzentrum Ludwigshafen, Bremserstrasse 79, 67063, Ludwigshafen, Germany. straussm@klilu.de

Herzschrittmachertherapie & Elektrophysiologie
|May 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) effectively managed electrical storm in a patient with reduced heart function. This case highlights the WCD

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Technology

Background:

  • Wearable cardioverter-defibrillators (WCDs) manage sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk when implantable defibrillators are not yet indicated.
  • Patients with severely reduced left ventricular function and ventricular tachycardia (VT) are at high risk for SCD.

Observation:

  • A 41-year-old patient with newly diagnosed reduced left ventricular function and VT received a WCD.
  • The patient experienced an electrical storm 4 weeks post-discharge, with the WCD delivering appropriate shocks.
  • A magnetic field imaging (MFI) for risk stratification yielded normal results.

Findings:

  • The WCD demonstrated efficacy in managing a life-threatening electrical storm.
  • Amiodarone administration stabilized the patient's cardiac rhythm during hospitalization.
  • Despite normal MFI results, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was implanted, showing no further arrhythmias in 1-year follow-up.

Implications:

  • WCDs represent a valuable tool for managing temporary high risk of SCD.
  • This case suggests novel approaches to SCD risk stratification may be needed.
  • Early intervention with WCDs can be life-saving in select cardiac patients.

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