FDA-Approved Defibrillator Vest Provides Alternative To Surgically Implanted Device

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --  The FDA recently approved a wearable defibrillator to protect children at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.

The vest is a good alternative to an implantable device that requires surgery or an automated external defibrillator that requires another person for use.

Dr. Joel Temple, Director of Pediatric Electrophisiology at Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, says this is a good option for patients who are too sick for surgery or must wait for an implantable device to be inserted.

"We have patients on the list for heart transplants who are at risk for life threatening arrhythmias. Rather than putting them through another surgery with an implantable device when a heart could be available anytime and then they have to undergo another surgery- we often send them home with a vest," Dr. Temple explained.

The downside is the vest must be worn around the clock and patients don't always want to comply.