Reported Reactions

Devices › Wearable automated external defibrillator

Device brand name · Wearable cardioverter defibrillator

Lifevest Wcd 4000 Sys: medical device reports filed with FDA

371 reports name it, 2013–2014. Manufacturer given most often on reports: Zoll Manufacturing. Product code MVK.

371
device reports naming the brand
0% of all MAUDE reports · about 28 a year
0
reports, 12 months to August 2026
0 in the 12 months before
77.9%
classified as malfunction
73.1% across the product code
3%
classified as death, as reported
11 reports · not verified by FDA

FDA's MAUDE database holds 371 reports that name the brand "Lifevest Wcd 4000 Sys" (wearable cardioverter defibrillator), received between June 2013 and December 2014; the manufacturer given most often on reports is Zoll Manufacturing. Spellings of one product vary from report to report.

0 reports arrived in the 12 months to August 2026, and none in the 12 months before. FDA releases MAUDE data monthly; reports can arrive months after an event, so the newest months grow in later releases. The event types recorded are malfunction (77.9%), injury (19.1%) and death (3%); across all wearable automated external defibrillator reports (product code MVK) death is recorded in 2.5% and malfunction in 73.1%. Event type is the reporter's classification of the report, not a verified outcome.

The device problems coded most often are device operates differently than expected (21.6%), failure to power up (15.4%) and device displays incorrect message (12.7%). The patient problems coded most often are shock from patient lead(s), arrhythmia and shock. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data."

Reports by month, five years

No report naming Lifevest Wcd 4000 Sys was received in the five years to August 2026; the latest was received in December 2014.

Event type and report source

Event type, as classified on the report

Death3%11
Injury19.1%71
Malfunction77.9%289
Other0%0
Not given0%0

Who filed the report

Manufacturer report100%371
Voluntary report0%0
User facility report0%0
Distributor report0%0
Not given0%0

Grey bar: all 149,799 reports carrying product code MVK. Event type is the filer's classification and is not verified by FDA.

Device problems coded

Device problem (FDA code)ReportsShareShare across product code
Device operates differently than expectedthe device behaved unexpectedly8021.6%4.2%
Failure to power up5715.4%10.1%
Device displays incorrect message4712.7%9.1%
Inappropriate/inadequate shock/stimulation4612.4%9.1%
Signal artifact/noise3810.2%4%
Device inoperablethe device could not be used338.9%2.5%
Reset problem143.8%0.9%
Communication or transmission problemthe device could not communicate or transmit123.2%1.3%
Failure of device to self-test102.7%1.7%
Breakthe device broke82.2%4.5%
Failure to charge82.2%2.8%
Charging problem71.9%3.3%
Inappropriate or unexpected reset71.9%1.1%
Insufficient device problem information51.3%1.1%
Device sensing problem41.1%0.8%
Incorrect interpretation of signal30.8%2.7%
Over-sensing30.8%2.3%
Unexpected therapeutic results30.8%0%
Defective component20.5%1.5%
Defective devicethe device was defective20.5%1.2%

FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report; one report can carry several. Generic codes such as "no apparent adverse event" are left out.

Patient problems coded

Patient problem (FDA code)ReportsShare
Shock from patient lead(s)195.1%
Arrhythmia174.6%
Shockshock, a collapse of the circulation102.7%
Abrasion82.2%
Tachycardiafast heart rate82.2%
Atrial fibrillationan irregular heart rhythm71.9%
Deaththe patient died; cause not stated by this term71.9%
Asystole61.6%
Atrial flutter51.3%
Bleeding51.3%
Electric shockan electric shock20.5%
Ventricular fibrillationa chaotic rhythm from the lower heart chambers20.5%
Ventricular tachycardiaa fast rhythm from the lower heart chambers20.5%
Blister(s)10.3%
Cardiac arrestthe heart stopped10.3%

Patient problem codes are present mainly in reports filed since 2019 and are often blank.

In context

MeasureLifevest Wcd 4000 SysProduct code MVKAll MAUDE reports
Reports371149,79926,136,888
Share of that pool—0.2%0%
Classified as death, per 1,000 reports30259
Classified as injury19.1%24.4%36.2%
Classified as malfunction77.9%73.1%62.3%
Filed by the manufacturer100%100%94.9%

Shares are of reports, not of devices in use. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data."

Other brands with product code MVK

BrandReportsLatest 12 monthsClassified as death
LifeVest WCD 4000 System140,78510,6932.5%
Lifevest Wcd 3000 System4,10901.8%
Lifevest Wcd 3100 System1,50002.3%
LifeVest WCD 5100 System1,1891,0761%
Assure Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator1,1187303.5%
Assure Cardiac Recovery System20804.8%

Ordered by report count for navigation only. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data." FDA also states that "common products may have a higher number of adverse events due to the higher total number of people using the product."

Questions about Lifevest Wcd 4000 Sys reports

How many FDA reports name Lifevest Wcd 4000 Sys?

371 medical device reports in the openFDA MAUDE release of 28 Sep 2026, covering reports received through August 2026; 0 in the latest 12 months.

What kinds of events are reported?

malfunction (77.9%), injury (19.1%) and death (3%). "Event type" is how the report was classified when filed: death, injury, malfunction or other.

What device problems are coded?

device operates differently than expected (21.6%), failure to power up (15.4%), device displays incorrect message (12.7%), inappropriate/inadequate shock/stimulation (12.4%) and signal artifact/noise (10.2%). These are FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report.

Who files these reports?

manufacturer reports (100%). Manufacturers and user facilities are required to report; voluntary reports come from health professionals and the public.

Do these reports show that Lifevest Wcd 4000 Sys was at fault?

No. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data." FDA adds that "a causal relationship cannot be established between product and reactions listed in a report."

How do I report a problem with a medical device?

Through FDA MedWatch (Form FDA 3500 for health professionals and consumers), or to the manufacturer. See the guide on how to report.

Where this comes from. Counts are built from the openFDA Device Adverse Event (MAUDE) bulk export released 28 Sep 2026, which holds reports FDA received through 31 Aug 2026. Brand, generic and manufacturer names are as written on the reports; product code names come from FDA's device classification. A report counts here when any device it lists carries this brand name after punctuation and capitalisation are normalised. No report narrative, lot number, patient detail or reporter identity is published. See the methodology and sources; FDA's record is authoritative, and corrections are handled within five working days.

Drug data (FAERS) through 30 Jun 2026; device data (MAUDE) through 31 Aug 2026. Not medical advice.