Wearable cardioverter defibrillator multicentre experience in a large cardiac surgery cohort at transient risk of sudden cardiac death

Autor: Christian Kuehn, Stefan Ruemke, Philipp Rellecke, Artur Lichtenberg, Dominik Joskowiak, Christian Hagl, Mohamed Hassan, Rainer G Leyh, Stefan Erler, Jens Garbade, Sandra Eifert, Philippe Grieshaber, Andreas Boening, Torsten Doenst, Ilia Velichkov, Tomas Madej, Michael Knaut, Andreas Hain, Heiko Burger
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery. 61(5)
ISSN: 1873-734X
Popis: OBJECTIVESThe wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is an established, safe, effective solution, protecting patients at risk of sudden cardiac death. We specifically investigated WCD use in cardiac surgery patients since data for this patient group are rare.METHODSRetrospective data analysis in 10 German cardiac surgery centres was performed. Cardiac surgery patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35% or after implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) explantation who received WCD between 2010 and 2020 were assessed using LifeVest Network data.RESULTSA total of 1168 patients with a median age of 66 years [interquartile range (IQR) 57–73] were enrolled; 87% were male. Clinical indications included coronary artery bypass grafting (43%), valve surgery (16%), combined coronary artery bypass graft/valve surgery (15%), ICD explantation (24%) and miscellaneous (2%). The median wear time of WCD was 23.4 h/day (IQR 21.7–23.8). A total of 106 patients (9.1%) exhibited ventricular tachycardia. A total of 93.2% of episodes occurred within the first 3 months. Eighteen patients (1.5%) received 26 adequate shocks. The inadequate shock rate was low (8 patients, 0.7%). LVEF improved from a median of 28% (IQR 22–32%) before WCD prescription to 35% (IQR 28–42%) during follow-up. Excluding ICD explant patients, 37% of patients received an ICD.CONCLUSIONSThe risk of sudden cardiac death is substantial within the first 3 months after cardiac surgery. Patients were protected effectively by WCD. Due to significant LVEF improvement, the majority did not require ICD implantation after WCD use. Compliance was high despite sternotomy. This multicentre experience confirms existing data regarding effectiveness, safety and compliance. Therefore, WCD should be considered in cardiac surgery patients with severely reduced LVEF.
Databáze: OpenAIRE