Contemporary management of cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections

Abstract

Cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation rate has substantially risen in the foregoing decades. Unfortunately, this upsurge in CIED implantation rate has been accompanied by a disproportionate rise in the rate of CIED infections. Device infection is a major complication of CIED implantation, necessitating removal of an infected device followed by systemic antimicrobial therapy and reimplantation of a new system. In this article, we review the current epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic strategy and contemporary management of CIED infection. In addition, we address the vexing question of how to best manage patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, in the setting of an implanted device, but no overt clinical signs of CIED infection. Lastly, we discuss the preventive strategies to minimize risk of CIED infection.

Keywords::

• cardiovascular implantable electronic device
• defibrillator
• infection
• pacemaker

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Muhammad R Sohail is an honoraria/consultant for TyRx Pharma, Inc. (<US$10,000). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Notes

CIED: Cardiovascular implantable electronic device.