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Updated: Mar 10, 2026

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
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Heart Rate Threshold Settings for Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients with Wearable Cardioverter-defibrillators

Steve Ringquist1, Nicole R Bianco1, Patricia Tung2

  • 1ZOLL CMS, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

The Journal of Innovations in Cardiac Rhythm Management
|March 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The optimal heart rate detection zone for wearable cardioverter-defibrillators (WCDs) is unknown. A 150 bpm threshold for ventricular tachycardia (VT) detection is suggested, as 15% of shocks were for VT 150-170 bpm.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Medical Devices

Background:

  • Wearable cardioverter-defibrillators (WCDs) are crucial for managing sudden cardiac arrest.
  • Programmable parameters like heart rate (HR) and detection time optimize WCD function.
  • The ideal ventricular tachycardia (VT) HR detection zone remains undetermined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the optimal ventricular tachycardia (VT) heart rate (HR) detection zone for WCDs.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the default VT detection rate in the LifeVest™ WCD.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of WCD (LifeVest™) data to determine shock delivery for VT within specific HR ranges.
  • Assessment of patient outcomes, including loss of consciousness, related to VT detection thresholds.

Main Results:

  • 15% of appropriate WCD shocks were delivered for VT events between 150-170 bpm.
  • 30% of patients receiving shocks for VT 150-170 bpm experienced loss of consciousness.
  • The default VT detection rate of the LifeVest™ WCD is 150 bpm.

Conclusions:

  • A programmed VT detection threshold of 150 bpm should be considered for WCDs.
  • Adjusting VT detection zones may improve WCD responsiveness and patient outcomes.
  • Further research is needed to refine WCD programming for optimal VT management.

Keywords:
Cardiac defibrillatorcardiovertventricular tachycardiawearable cardioverter-defibrillator

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