More than 50,000 patients at high risk of SCA have been prescribed ZOLL's LifeVest

ZOLL Medical Corporation (NasdaqGS: ZOLL), a manufacturer of medical devices and related software solutions, announced today that more than 50,000 patients at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) have been prescribed the LifeVest^® Wearable Defibrillator.

The LifeVest is worn by patients at risk for SCA, providing protection during their changing condition and while permanent SCA risk has not been established. The LifeVest allows a patient's physician time to assess his or her long-term arrhythmic risk and make appropriate plans.

The LifeVest is lightweight and easy to wear, allowing patients to return to their activities of daily living, while having the peace of mind that they are protected from SCA. The LifeVest continuously monitors the patient's heart and, if a life-threatening heart rhythm is detected, the device delivers a treatment shock to restore normal heart rhythm.

"As an investigator in the original WEARIT/BIROAD clinical trial and the primary investigator for the WEARIT II registry, it is rewarding to see so many patients have benefited from this therapy. The LifeVest plays an important role in the continuum of care for patients at high risk from SCA", stated Arthur J. Moss, M.D., University of Rochester Medical Center. "LifeVest allows physicians to protect patients during their period of highest risk early after an acute cardiac event such as a myocardial infarction or newly diagnosed nonischemic cardiomyopathy, when other therapies are not appropriate due to the patient's changing condition and the potential for cardiac recovery."

"The fact that over 50,000 patients have been prescribed the LifeVest by their physicians is a meaningful milestone, made even more rewarding by the fact that it was reached during Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month. The powerful result of partnering with physicians to protect so many patients from SCA is that all of these patients benefit from the peace of mind provided by the protection and a patient's life is being saved almost each and every day by a ZOLL LifeVest," said Richard A. Packer, Chief Executive Officer of ZOLL.