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An ICD is a device designed to quickly detect a life-threatening, rapid heartbeat. Through a
process called defibrillation, the ICD tries to convert an abnormal heart rhythm back to
normal by delivering an electrical shock to the heart. The ICD continuously monitors
heartbeats to ensure that they are normal, and it only delivers a shock to the heart when it
senses a life-threatening arrhythmia. The LifeVest is a new, non-invasive, wearable
defibrillator vest that is an alternative to an ICD. It consists of a vest that is worn over
the chest and a monitor that is worn around the waist or shoulder. The LifeVest is less
expensive than an ICD and does not require surgery. Currently, the LifeVest is approved by
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for detecting and treating arrhythmias, but it is not
known how effective it is in people who have recently had a heart attack.
This study is composed of two parts: the Vest Prevention of Early Sudden Death Trial (VEST)
and a follow-up study called Prediction of ICD Therapies Study (PREDICTS). The purpose of
VEST is to evaluate the effectiveness of the LifeVest defibrillator at preventing death
caused by an arrhythmia in the 3 months after a heart attack. In PREDICTS, participants will
be followed for several years after receiving an ICD or a Reveal monitor, which is an
implantable heart monitoring device that does not treat arrhythmias. The purpose of PREDICTS
is to improve the methods that doctors use to determine which patients will benefit the most
from receiving an ICD.
This study will enroll people who have recently had a heart attack. While participants are
in the hospital or clinic, they will undergo a baseline medical history review, physical
exam, electrocardiogram (EKG) to measure electrical activity of the heart, and blood
collection. Participants will then be randomly assigned to either wear the LifeVest for 3
months or receive usual care for 3 months. The LifeVest will continually collect and store
heart rhythm information, and participants will transmit this data over the phone to study
researchers on a weekly basis. At Month 1, participants will receive a follow-up phone call.
At Month 2, all participants will attend a study visit that will include repeat baseline
testing, a signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) test to identify any scar tissue, a
baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) test to measure heart rate changes in response to blood
pressure changes, an echocardiogram (ECHO) of the heart, an exercise stress test, and
quality of life questionnaires. Participants will wear a monitor for 24 hours after the
study visit to record heart activity. A small amount of blood will be stored for future DNA
analysis.
Participants whose heart function remains poor will receive an ICD implant, and all other
participants will receive a Reveal monitoring device implant. The Reveal device will
continuously monitor and record arrhythmias, but it will not provide any treatment. Every 1
to 3 months, participants will transmit their ICD or Reveal data by phone to researchers.
For 1 to 8 years, depending on when study entry occurs, participants will attend follow-up
visits once a year for repeat testing. Study researchers will call participants periodically
to monitor medication changes and medical problems.
The VEST/PREDICTS study was originally introduced as a single study with two phases (VEST
and PREDICTS), with all consenting participants required to participate in both phases
consecutively. Beginning with Version 2.0 of the protocol, the two phases were uncoupled
resulting in three possible avenues for participant enrollment:
1. VEST/PREDICTS combined (V/P): Participants who meet inclusion criteria for
VEST/PREDICTS combined enroll in both phases using one consent form (same as the
original). This is the preferred enrollment strategy.
2. VEST only (V): Participants who meet inclusion criteria for VEST/PREDICTS combined but
may not want to be in the three to five-year Predicts PREDICTS study, may opt to enroll
in the 3-month VEST only study using the VEST consent
3. PREDICTS only (P): Participants who meet inclusion criteria for PREDICTS only may be
enrolled while in the hospital for the qualifying MI, within the 7-day post discharge
window, and up to 6 months post MI.
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