Sudden cardiac arrest in hemodialysis patients with wearable cardioverter defibrillator

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Updated: May 5, 2026

Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock
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Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock

Published on: June 12, 2021

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Chingping Wan1, Charles A Herzog, Wojciech Zareba

  • 1Clinical Research, ZOLL, Pittsburgh, PA.

Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology : the Official Journal of the International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology, Inc
|November 21, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survival is poor for hemodialysis (HD) patients. Wearable cardioverter defibrillators (WCDs) in HD patients showed improved post-SCA survival compared to historical data.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Nephrology
  • Medical Devices

Background:

  • Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survival outcomes are poor for hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  • Characteristics of SCA and survival post-event in HD patients using wearable cardioverter defibrillators (WCDs) are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the characteristics of SCA events in HD patients using WCDs.
  • To evaluate the post-SCA survival rates in HD patients treated with WCDs.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of HD patients prescribed WCDs between 2004-2011 who experienced SCA.
  • Data collected on demographics, clinical background, and SCA event characteristics from manufacturer database.
  • Mortality determined using the Social Security Death Index.

Main Results:

  • 84 SCA events in 75 HD patients (mean age 62.9 years); 78.6% due to ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation.
  • Acute 24-hour survival was 70.7%, 30-day survival was 50.7%, and 1-year survival was 31.4%.
  • Women demonstrated significantly better post-SCA survival than men (HR=2.41, P=0.03).

Conclusions:

  • The use of WCDs in HD patients is associated with improved post-SCA survival.
  • Findings suggest WCDs may be a valuable tool for managing SCA risk in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
ESRDhemodialysis hazardsmortalitysudden cardiac arrestwearable cardioverter defibrillator

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