Helping Protect Patients from Sudden Cardiac Arrest

During a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the heart's electrical system stops working properly. Instead of beating in a normal fashion, the heart begins to quiver, or fibrillate. This irregular rhythm can lead to an abrupt loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness.

SCA can occur without any warning signs and tends to occur more frequently in those who have previously experienced SCA, heart attacks, or heart failure. Physicians may also determine that some patients are at higher risk of developing such conditions.

Despite advances in care management, the outcomes for patients experiencing in-hospital SCA remain poor, with survival to discharge rates typically around 26.4%.¹

The only treatment for SCA is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) or professional defibrillator.

Every Minute Matters

ZOLL's Hospital Wearable Defibrillator (HWD) is the latest technological innovation available to support in-hospital patients at risk of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) — dangerous arrhythmias that can cause SCA.

The HWD is a wearable defibrillator that is designed to:

Continuously monitor patients at risk of sudden cardiac death
Rapidly detect life-threatening arrhythmias
Automatically provide treatment shock without intervention

How It Works

When the HWD detects VT or VF, it sounds an alert. Conscious patients can press the response buttons and call the nurse. The device is designed to automatically administer a treatment shock to unconscious patients after a brief period.

In a typical situation, the entire event, from detecting a life-threatening rapid heartbeat to automatically delivering a treatment shock, occurs in about one minute. When the heart can be returned quickly to a perfusing rhythm, long-term complications can be minimized.²

Streamlined Care

Designed specifically for in-hospital use, the HWD can complement existing hospital resuscitation protocols with its ability to provide early defibrillation.

Peace of Mind

Patients and their families can have additional peace of mind when the HWD is part of the care plan. Knowing that at-risk patients are protected day and night in the hospital can also provide reassurance to the care team, regardless of hospital staffing levels, time of day, or unit where patients are treated in the hospital.

If you would like to understand how ZOLL's HWD can help protect you in the hospital, speak with your physician today.

The Hospital Wearable Defibrillator is currently available in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Please contact your local ZOLL representative for more information.