Study of the wearable cardioverter defibrillator in advanced heart-failure patients (SWIFT).

INTRODUCTION: The wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) may allow stabilization until reassessment for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) among high-risk heart failure (HF) patients. However, there are limited data on the WCD benefit in the acute decompensated HF setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Study of the Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator in Advanced Heart Failure Patients (SWIFT) was a prospective clinical trial carried out at two medical centers. Patients hospitalized with advanced HF symptoms and reduced left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) were enrolled and prescribed a WCD prior to discharge for a total of 3 months. Outcome measures included arrhythmic events, WCD discharge, and death. Study patients (n = 75, mean age 51 ± 14 years, 31% women) had a mean LVEF of 21.5 ± 10.4%. Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy was present in 66% of patients. The median WCD wearing time was 59 (interquartile range 17-97) days, and 80% of patients wore the device >50% of daily hours. WCD interrogations showed a total of 8 arrhythmic events in 5 patients, including 3 nonsustained or self-terminating ventricular tachycardia (VT) events, and one polymorphic VT successfully terminated by the WCD. None of the patients died while wearing the device and no inappropriate device therapies occurred. Upon termination of treatment with the WCD, 21 patients (28%) received an ICD. At 3 years, the cumulative death rate was 20% in the ischemic and 21% in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patients. CONCLUSION: A management strategy incorporating the WCD can be safely used to bridge the decision regarding the need for ICD implantation in high-risk patients with advanced HF.

The wearable cardioverter defibrillator as a bridge to implantable defibrillator post myocardial infarction: what do we know?

INTRODUCTION: Ventricular tachyarrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation) can lead to aborted cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death in patients with poor left ventricular function early after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Although it has been shown that the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can treat ventricular tachyarrhythmias and save lives in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, it's use during the early phase post AMI has not been shown to reduce mortality. Current device guidelines require a waiting period of 40 days post AMI and 3 months post revascularization. Thus, there is a time gap where high-risk patients may not be protected. AREAS COVERED: This review summarizes the characteristics of the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) and its role in bridging the gap between an AMI and time of ICD eligibility. In addition, we focus on the efficacy of the WCD in treating ventricular tachyarrhythmias events, compliance and safety of the WCD use. Expert commentary: The WCD use during the early post AMI period can add crucial information to the process of risk stratification and decision-making whether an individual needs an implantation of an ICD or not. The WCD can serve as a safe and effective bridge during the interval preceding ICD placement.

A review of the treatment of psoriasis with infliximab.

Patients afflicted with moderate to severe psoriasis experience a reduction in the quality of life. They not only suffer the aggravation associated with the pain, itchiness, and bleeding of the psoriatic lesions, but also experience a negative impact on their daily functions and social well-being. Unfortunately, traditional therapeutic measures have not been effective enough in treating individuals suffering from moderate to severe forms of psoriasis. Most of the conventional medications have produced at best only partial responses. However, the recent chimeric monoclonal TNF-alpha inhibiting antibody, infliximab, has been proven effective for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Most patients treated with infliximab have shown rapid and remarkable improvement in the clinical manifestations of the disease. This article will closely examine the efficacy and safety of infliximab through the analysis of past case reports and clinical trials.