WCD
Medical abbreviation · Cardiology
| Stands for | Wearable cardioverter-defibrillator |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
WCD stands for Wearable cardioverter-defibrillator, a cardiology abbreviation.
Vest worn under clothing that monitors heart rhythm and automatically delivers a shock for ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia. It bridges periods of uncertain risk, such as the weeks after a heart attack or a new cardiomyopathy diagnosis, or after an infected ICD is removed.
Example: Newly diagnosed NICM with EF 20%: WCD prescribed while medical therapy is optimized for 3 months.
Usage notes
Best known by the brand name LifeVest. Conscious patients can stop an impending shock by pressing response buttons, which prevents inappropriate shocks. The VEST trial (2018) did not show a reduction in arrhythmic death in its main analysis, partly because many patients wore the device little, so its use is selective.
Related abbreviations
More cardiology abbreviations
- AAA – Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- ABI – Ankle-brachial index
- ABPM – Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
- ACC – American College of Cardiology
- ACHD – Adult congenital heart disease
- ACS – Acute coronary syndrome
- ADHF – Acute decompensated heart failure
- AED – Automated external defibrillator
- AF – Atrial fibrillation
- AFib – Atrial fibrillation
- AFL – Atrial flutter
- AHA – American Heart Association
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.