Optimizing Beta Blocker Dosage in Women While Using the Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator

The primary objective of this pilot study is to document the percentage achievement in effective HR control (average nighttime HR < 70 bpm) during WCD use in a cohort of female patients with cardiomyopathy in an outpatient setting using continuous heart rate (HR) trends data from the WCD to optimize BB/ivabradine dosage, as compared to a prior historical control.

Adult female patients (18 years or older) who are prescribed the wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) for 3 months for ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with a low ejection fraction.

Subjects will wear an FDA-approved WCD with a 3 month follow-up period. Heart rate (HR) will be continuously monitored by the WCD. Every two weeks a report showing daily HR trends will be emailed to the healthcare provider. The healthcare provider will also receive a HR control alert if the HR exceeds a predetermined threshold for 3 days in a row.

Based on this information, clinicians should follow guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) to add or titrate medication accordingly. The goal of these changes will be to achieve the average nighttime HR to recommended guidelines (<70 bpm) by the end of WCD use.

Inclusion criteria

for Screening Phase:

• Female patients with newly diagnosed (never hospitalized for HF in the last 30 days prior to enrollment) ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and an EF ≤ 35% at the time of WCD prescription.
• Patients prescribed the WCD for an intended 90 ± 14 days of use.
• Patients have used the WCD for no more than 14 days from the day of consent.
• Patients 18 years of age or older at the time of consent.

Inclusion criteria

for Continuation Phase:

-After the first 2 weeks of WCD wear, only actively wearing patients averaging at least 105 hours of WCD wear per week (or 15 hours/day) are eligible to continue.

Exclusion criteria

for Screening Phase:

• Patients with a known contraindication or intolerance to beta-blocker therapy.
• Patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.
• Patients who have a pacemaker.
• Patients with a current or prior implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
• Patients who are self-reporting to be pregnant.
• Patients with known congenital or inherited heart disease.
• Patients participating in another interventional clinical trial.
• Patients not expected to live longer than 3 months.

Exclusion criteria

for Continuation Phase:

-Patients ending WCD use within the first two weeks of use.