**Conflict of interest**

Peter Magnusson has received speaker fees or grants from Abbott, Alnylam, Bayer, AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Internetmedicin, Octopus Medical, Pfizer, and Zoll.

Joseph Pergolizzi is a principal at Native Cardio, Inc.

Jo Ann LeQuang has no relevant disclosures.

*The Wearable Cardioverter-Defibrillator DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90663*

**10. Future directions**

*Sudden Cardiac Death*

device professionals is crucial.

even more.

**11. Conclusions**

dangerous arrhythmias.

**Acknowledgements**

**Conflict of interest**

**82**

Valley, California, for the artwork in **Figure 1**.

Internetmedicin, Octopus Medical, Pfizer, and Zoll.

Jo Ann LeQuang has no relevant disclosures.

Joseph Pergolizzi is a principal at Native Cardio, Inc.

The WCD technology effectively treats VT/VF, but bradycardia pacing support would likely prevent SCD to an even greater extent. Adding pacing capability to the

A major obstacle in WCD therapy remains patient adherence. Unfortunately, not all patients are motivated to comply with the prescription to use the WCD, and unnecessary deaths occur because of poor compliance. Therefore, motivating the patient to adhere to therapy is of utmost importance. A combined approach with technology reminders (e.g., text messages via smartphones) and close follow-up by

Much has been accomplished in the past 30 years to better treat the risk of SCD, and the WCD is definitely an important milestone in our advancing knowledge. Nevertheless, much more needs to be done to reduce the rates of arrhythmic death

A Class II recall of the WCD occurred in January 2018, covering 33,000 devices. This problem, in which certain vests displayed a warning message to the effect that

The WCD is an important advancement in the armamentarium for cardiovascular disease and demonstrates safe, effective therapy, but patient compliance remains a concern. The WCD is an interim therapeutic alternative to the ICD. In some cases, the WCD may help patients recover significant systolic function to the point that an ICD is no longer necessary. Patients who need the WCD should receive individual one-on-one instruction in how to use the device, and clinicians should be prepared that there may be a degree of psychological distress. Nevertheless, these devices are important advancement in cardiac care for people at risk of

The authors gratefully acknowledge Todd Cooper of Coyote Studios in Green

Peter Magnusson has received speaker fees or grants from Abbott, Alnylam,

Bayer, AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Lilly, Novo Nordisk,

they could not charge sufficiently to deliver therapy, has been addressed.

WCD would be an important and life-saving step forward.
