[New therapy for the prevention of sudden cardiac death]

The efficacy of implantable cardiac defibrillators for prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) has been well documented. However, morbidity and complications of these devices have been of major concern. The wearable cardiac defibrillator (WCD) provides an option for protection during this vulnerable period when the risk of SCD is unclear. The subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator (S-ICD) may indeed offer a viable therapeutic option in selected patients at high risk of SCD and in whom pacing is not required. The S-ICD and the WCD represent a further step in evolution of defibrillator technology in the prevention of S-ICD.