Infectious mass debulking in lead-associated endocarditis with a percutaneous aspiration system.

AIMS: Debulking of infective mass to reduce the burden if infective material is a fundamental principle in the surgical management of infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of this principle in patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction in the context of bloodstream infection (BSI). METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed an observational single-centre study on patients that underwent transvenous lead extraction due to a BSI, with or without lead-associated vegetations, in combination with a percutaneous aspiration system during the study period 2015-22. One hundred thirty-seven patients were included in the final analysis. In patients with an active BSI at the time of intervention, the use of a percutaneous aspiration system had a significant impact on survival (log-rank: P = 0.0082), while for patients with a suppressed BSI at the time of intervention, the use of a percutaneous aspiration system had no significant impact on survival (log-rank: P = 0.25). CONCLUSION: A reduction of the infective burden by percutaneous debulking of lead vegetations might improve survival in patients with an active BSI.

Risk of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infection in Patients with Bloodstream Infection: Microbiologic Effect in the Era of Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is common and can prompt challenges in defining optimal management. We provide a contemporary narrative review of this topic and propose a pathogen-dependent clinical approach to patient management. RECENT FINDINGS: BSI due to staphylococci, viridans group streptococci, and enterococci is associated with an increased risk of underlying CIED infection, while the risk of CIED infection due to other organisms is poorly defined. There is growing evidence that positron emission tomography-computed tomography may be helpful in some patients with BSI and underlying CIED. Twenty studies were included to examine the impact of microbiologic findings on the risk of CIED infection among patients with BSI. Diagnosis of CIED infection in patients with BSI without pocket findings is often difficult, necessitating the use of novel diagnostic tools to help guide the clinician in subsequent patient management.

Clinical utility of sonication for diagnosing infection and colonization of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices.

Our study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of the sonication tool for the microbiological diagnosis of cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections (CIEDIs). The extracted cardiac implants of 52 patients were assessed: 19 with CIEDI and 33 with elective generator replacement or revision without clinical infection. Sonication fluid culture of explanted CIEDs yielded higher numbers of microorganisms than pocket tissue or swab cultures. The sensitivity of sonication fluid culture was significantly higher than that of pocket swab and tissue culture for microbiological diagnosis of CIEDI. The microorganisms isolated most frequently via sonication of explanted CIEDs were Gram-positive cocci (70%), of which 50% was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Sonication fluid culture detected colonization in 36.4% of the non-infected patients. Sonication fluid culture represents a promising diagnostic strategy with increased sensitivity compared to conventional culture methods for microbiological diagnosis of cardiac devices associated with infection and colonization.

Cost-Effectiveness Analyses of an Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope for Use in Patients at Increased Risk of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infection in Germany, Italy, and England.

OBJECTIVES: To model the cost-effectiveness of the TYRX Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope when used in patients at increased risk of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection in the context of 3 European healthcare systems: Germany, Italy, and England. METHODS: A decision tree model with a lifetime horizon was populated using data from the Worldwide Randomized Antibiotic Envelope Infection Prevention Trial, a large multicenter randomized controlled trial. Use of the antibacterial envelope adjunctive to standard of care was compared to standard of care infection prevention alone. Patients in the model were divided into subgroups based on presence of factors known to increase infection risk. RESULTS: The antibacterial envelope had the most favorable cost-effectiveness profile when patients had previously experienced CIED infection, had a history of immunosuppressive therapy, or had a Prevention of Arrhythmia Device Infection Trial (PADIT) score indicating high risk of infection (scores ≥6) at cost-effectiveness thresholds of €50 000 in Germany (assumed in the absence of an official threshold), €40 000 in Italy, and £30 000 in England. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that the antibacterial envelope was likely to be cost-effective in patients with other risk factors (including replacement of high power CIEDs, generator replacement with lead modification, and PADIT scores indicating intermediate risk of infection) when used with some device types and in some countries. CONCLUSIONS: The absorbable antibacterial envelope was associated with cost-effectiveness ratios below European benchmarks in selected patients at increased risk of infection, suggesting the envelope provides value for European healthcare systems by reducing CIED infections.

Pacemaker infection and endocarditis due to Parvimonas micra: A case report and systematic review.

Infective endocarditis caused by Parvimonas micra is rare. Its clinical features are presented in this systematic review. We also describe the case of an 82-year-old man with infective endocarditis and pacemaker infection due to P. micra. There are some reports of recurrence during antimicrobial therapy; hence, careful follow-up is necessary.

Reduced bacterial adhesion with parylene coating: Potential implications for Micra transcatheter pacemakers.

INTRODUCTION: Infections of cardiac implantable electronic devices remain a prevalent health concern necessitating the advent of novel preventative strategies. Based on the observation that bacterial infections of the Micra transcatheter pacemaker device are extremely rare, we examine the effect of parylene coating on bacterial adhesion and growth. METHODS: Bacterial growth was compared on polyurethane coated, bare, or parylene coated titanium surfaces. Eight test samples per bacterial species and material combination were incubated with Staphylococcus Aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 24 hours and then assayed for bacterial growth. The surface contact angle was also characterized by measuring the angle between the tangent to the surface of a liquid droplet made with the surface of the solid sample. RESULTS: The mean bacterial colony counts were significantly reduced for both parylene coated titanium versus bare samples (3.69 ± 0.27 and 4.80 ± 0.48 log[CFU/mL] respectively for S. aureus [P < .001] and 5.51 ± 0.27 and 6.08 ± 0.11 log[CFU/mL] respectively for P. aeruginosa [P < .001]), and for parylene coated titanium versus polyurethane samples (4.27 ± 0.42 and 5.40 ± 0.49 log[CFU/mL] respectively for S. aureus [P < .001] and 4.23 ± 0.42 and 4.84 ± 0.32 log[CFU/mL] respectively for P. aeruginosa [P = .006]). Parylene coated titanium samples had a higher contact angle compared with bare titanium, but lower compared with polyurethane (mean contact angle 87.5 ± 3.1 degrees parylene, 73.3 ± 3.7 degrees titanium [P < .001 vs parylene], and 94.8 ± 3.7 degrees polyurethane [P = .002 vs parylene]). CONCLUSIONS: Parylene coating significantly reduced the ability of bacteria to grow in colony count assays suggesting that this could contribute to the reduction of bacterial infections of Micra transcatheter pacemakers.

Cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections due to enterococcal species: Clinical features, management, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Enterococcal cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infections are not well characterized. METHODS: Data from the Multicenter Electrophysiologic Device Infection Cohort, a prospective study of CIED infections, were used for descriptive analysis of adults with enterococcal CIED infections. RESULTS: Of 433 patients, 21 (4.8%) had enterococcal CIED infection. Median age was 71 years. Twelve patients (57%) had permanent pacemakers, five (24%) implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and four (19%) biventricular devices. Median time from last procedure to infection was 570 days. CIED-related bloodstream infections occurred in three patients (14%) and 18 (86%) had infective endocarditis (IE), 14 (78%) of which were definite by the modified Duke criteria. IE cases were classified as follows: valvular IE, four; lead IE, eight; both valve and lead IE, six. Vegetations were demonstrated by transesophageal echocardiography in 17 patients (81%). Blood cultures were positive in 19/19 patients with confirmed results. The most common antimicrobial regimen was penicillin plus an aminoglycoside (33%). Antibiotics were given for a median of 43 days. Only 14 patients (67%) underwent device removal. There was one death during the index hospitalization with four additional deaths within 6 months (overall mortality 24%). There were no relapses. CONCLUSIONS: Enterococci caused 4.8% of CIED infections in our cohort. Based on the late onset after device placement or manipulation, most infections were likely hematogenous in origin. IE was the most common infection syndrome. Only 67% of patients underwent device removal. At 6 months follow-up, no CIED infection relapses had occurred, but overall mortality was 24%.

Surgical extraction of a giant intracardiac lead vegetation and epicardial pacemaker reimplantation in a pacemaker-dependent hemodialysis patient.

A 57-year old male with a dual-chamber pacemaker and 40-year history of hemodialysis and autoinflammatory disease developed a large, 35 × 35 mm intracardiac vegetation on the right ventricular pacing lead. As this mass was large enough to occlude the tricuspid valve orifice, transvenous lead extraction was deemed unsuitable. Instead, an urgent surgical extraction of the whole pacemaker system, including leads and vegetation, was conducted under cardiopulmonary bypass. In light of a high risk of recurrent blood infection, a new dual-chamber pacing system was then immediately re-established using epicardial pacing leads on the right atrium and ventricle instead of transvenous electrodes. This case of a rare, giant intracardiac lead vegetation lacked most known causal factors, except for renal failure, but a possibly immunosuppressed cardiac microenvironment due to long-term steroid therapy may have been an important influencing factor.

Differences in laser lead extraction of infected vs. non-infected leads.

We investigated the effect of systemic infection or lead endocarditis on the complexity and the success of laser lead extraction (LLE) procedures. Medical records of all patients undergoing LLE between January 2012 and March 2017 were screened with regard to information on systemic infection or lead endocarditis. We treated 184 patients using high-frequency 80 Hz laser sheaths in patients with lead implant duration of ≥ 12 months. Indications for lead extraction were systemic infection and lead endocarditis in 52 cases (28.3%), local infection in 74 cases (40.2%), lead dysfunction in 37 cases (20.1%) and other indications in 21 cases (11.4%). 386 leads were scheduled for LLE: 235 (60.9%) pacing, 105 (27.2%) ICD and 46 (11.9%) CS leads. The mean time from initial lead implantation (systemic infection 96.8 ± 74.7 months vs. 102.1 ± 82.6 non-infected: months; p = 0.4155) and ratio of ICD leads (26.8 vs. 27.4%; p = 0.3411) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Complete procedural success was significantly higher in the systemic infection group (100 vs. 94.7%; p = 0.0077). The mean laser treatment (60.2 ± 48.7 vs. 72.4 ± 61.5 s; p = 0.2038) was numerically lower in the infection group, while fluoroscopy time (9.3 ± 7.6 vs. 12.8 ± 10.3 min; p = 0.0275) was significantly lower in this group. Minor and major complications were low in both groups and did not reveal any statistically significant difference (infected group: one minor complication; pocket hematoma, non-infected: three major complications; emergent sternotomy due to pericardial tamponade). No extraction related mortality was observed. The presence of systemic infection or lead endocarditis in LLE procedures allows for higher complete procedural success. When compared with LLE of non-infected leads, the infected leads require less laser and fluoroscopy times. Due to the scarcity of minor and major complications in general, no statistical significance was found in that regard.

Outcomes in Patients With Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infection Managed With Chronic Antibiotic Suppression.

BACKGROUND.: Most cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) recipients are elderly, have multiple comorbid conditions, and are at increased risk of CIED infection (CIEDI). Current guidelines recommend complete device removal in patients with CIEDI to prevent relapse and mortality. However, comorbidities or other factors may preclude device removal, thus prompting a nonsurgical approach that includes chronic antibiotic suppression (CAS). There are limited data on outcomes of patients receiving CAS for CIEDI. METHODS.: We retrospectively screened 660 CIEDI cases from 2005 to 2015 using electronic health records and a CIEDI institutional database and identified 48 patients prescribed CAS. Primary outcomes were infection relapse and survival. RESULTS.: The median age was 78 years, and 73% (35/48) were male. The median Charlson comorbidity index was 4. Common pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci (21%, 10/48) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (19%, 9/48). At 1 month after hospitalization, 25% (12/48) of patients had died, of whom only 1 initiated CAS; 67% (8/12) of these had staphylococcal infections. Of the 37 patients who initiated CAS, the most common antimicrobials were trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, penicillin, and amoxicillin (22%, 8/37 each). Estimated median overall survival was 1.43 years (95% confidence interval, 0.27-2.14), with 18% (6/33 survivors) developing relapse within 1 year. Of the 6 patients who relapsed, 2 (33%) subsequently underwent CIED extraction. CONCLUSION.: CAS is reasonable in select patients who are not candidates for complete device removal for attempted cure of CIEDI. Nevertheless, 1-month mortality in our sample of CAS-eligible patients was high and reflective of high rates of comorbid conditions.

Effect of pocket irrigation with antimicrobial on prevention of pacemaker pocket infection: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The presence of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) pocket infection is difficult to treat, causing serious clinical outcomes, but little is known for prevention. Results from some studies suggested that pocket irrigation could reduce infection while others showed conflicting results. We pooled the effects of pocket irrigations on the prevention of pocket infection by meta-analysis methods. METHOD: Relevant studies published before June, 2017 were retrieved mainly by the computer-based search of PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, Web of Science, Chinese BioMedical, Global Health and BIOSIS Previews databases. Estimations of relative ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were pooled. Subgroup analyses according to potential key factors affecting the effects were conducted, which was confirmed by meta-regression. Sensitivity analysis and test for publication bias were also performed. RESULTS: We identified 10 studies providing data of 5467 patients receiving CIEDs implantations. Pooled infection rates were 1.48 and 3.49% respectively for medication and saline irrigation groups. Meta-analysis showed that medication irrigation conferred protection to pocket infection (RR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.31-0.63). Subgroup analysis showed that antibiotics, rather than non-antibiotics (antiseptics) exerting the protection. The first and second lines antibiotics against staphylococcus aureus, which is the main pathogen for pocket infection, were both effective (RR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.24-0.75 and RR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.20-0.58 respectively for first line and second line therapies). Meta-regression revealed that region and class of irrigation medication completely explained the variance among studies and implied that effects of region were masked by medication types. Sensitivity analysis did not showed any significant change of the result and publication bias were not statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Pocket irrigation with antibiotics were effective for reducing pocket infection and should be encouraged in CIEDs implantation.

Bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement for tricuspid valve endocarditis secondary to infected endocardial pacemaker leads.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to present outcomes of bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) in patients with tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (TVIE). METHODS: From October 2001 to December 2015, 26 patients underwent a bioprosthetic TVR due to severe TVIE after endocardial pacemaker implantation. RESULTS: Staphylococcus species and Streptococcus species were the predominant microorganisms. Early 30-day hospital mortality was 0 (0%). There were three late deaths (11.5%), none cardiac related. At nine years, freedom from cardiac death was 100%. Mean follow-up was 5.7 ± 4.1 years (range, 1.3-14.2 years). There were two cases (7.7%) of cardiac redo operations related to recurrent infection. At nine years, freedom from valve-related redo operation was 92.3%. There was no thrombosis-embolism, bleeding, or other valve-related events. No peri-valve leak or vegetation was seen on the last echocardiographic examination. CONCLUSIONS: Bioprosthetic TVR can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality in severe tricuspid endocarditis due to infected endocardial pacemaker leads.

Serratia marcescens outbreak due to contaminated 2% aqueous chlorhexidine. / Brote de Serratia marcescens producido por clorhexidina acuosa al 2% contaminada.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: An outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections outbreak is described, as well as the epidemiological study that linked the outbreak to the use of 2% aqueous chlorhexidine antiseptic. METHOD: In late November 2014 an increasing incidence of S. marcescens isolates was detected in patients treated in the emergency department. It was considered a possible outbreak, and an epidemiological investigation was started. RESULT: S. marcescens was isolated in 23 samples from 16 patients and in all new bottles of two lots of 2% aqueous chlorhexidine. The contaminated disinfectant was withdrawn, and the Spanish Drugs Agency was alerted (COS 2/2014). The epidemiological study showed that strains isolated from clinical samples and from chlorhexidine belonged to the same clone. No further isolates were obtained once the disinfectant was withdrawn. CONCLUSION: The suspicion of an outbreak and the epidemiological study were essential to control the incidence.

Improving the Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis in Prosthetic Valves and Intracardiac Devices With 18F-Fluordeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Angiography: Initial Results at an Infective Endocarditis Referral Center.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) in prosthetic valves and intracardiac devices is challenging because both the modified Duke criteria (DC) and echocardiography have limitations in this population. The added value of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and (18)F-FDG PET/CT angiography (PET/CTA) was evaluated in this complex scenario at a referral center with a multidisciplinary IE unit. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety-two patients admitted to our hospital with suspected prosthetic valve or cardiac device IE between November 2012 and November 2014 were prospectively included. All patients underwent echocardiography and PET/CT, and 76 had cardiac CTA. PET/CT and echocardiography findings were evaluated and compared, with concordant results in 54% of cases (κ=0.23). Initial diagnoses with DC at admission, PET/CT, and DC+PET/CT were compared with the final diagnostic consensus reached by the IE Unit. DC+PET/CT enabled reclassification of 90% of cases initially classified as possible IE with DC and provided a conclusive diagnosis (definite/rejected) in 95% of cases. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 52%, 94.7%, 92.9%, and 59.7% for DC; 87%, 92.1%, 93.6%, and 84.3% for PET/CT; and 90.7%, 89.5%, 92%, and 87.9% for DC+PET/CT. Use of PET/CTA yielded even better diagnostic performance values than PET/nonenhanced CT (91%, 90.6%, 92.8%, and 88.3% versus 86.4%, 87.5%, 90.2%, and 82.9%) and substantially reduced the rate of doubtful cases from 20% to 8% (P<0.001). DC+PET/CTA reclassified an additional 20% of cases classified as possible IE with DC+PET/nonenhanced CT. In addition, PET/CTA enabled detection of a significantly larger number of anatomic lesions associated with active endocarditis than PET/nonenhanced CT (P=0.006) or echocardiography (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-FDG PET/CT improves the diagnostic accuracy of the modified DC in patients with suspected IE and prosthetic valves or cardiac devices. PET/CTA yielded the highest diagnostic performance and provided additional diagnostic benefits.

First case report of infection due to Cupriavidus gilardii in a patient without immunodeficiency: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cupriavidus gilardii is an aerobic, Gram-negative, glucose-nonfermenting rod that was first identified in 1999. Because of the difficulty in accurate species identification of C. gilardii, there are few case reports of infection caused by this organism. In previous reports, C. gilardii has been characterized as an organism with low pathogenicity that causes opportunistic infections. CASE PRESENTATION: We encountered a case of pacemaker-associated bloodstream infection caused by C. gilardii in a 90-year old woman without obvious immunodeficiency. We identified the isolates as C. gilardii by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The patient was treated with removal of the lead and administration of antimicrobial agents. Because of the acquisition of antibiotic resistance during antibiotic treatment, the antimicrobial agent was changed during the course of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of an infection caused by this organism in a patient without obvious immunodeficiency. Although the true pathogenicity of C. gilardii is unclear, the possibility that it exerts pathogenicity not only in persons with immunodeficiency but also in immunocompetent persons is suggested.

Bacterial Contamination During Pacemaker Implantation Is Common and Does Not Always Result in Infection.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial cultures of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices removed from patients without clinical infection are often positive, and the cultured bacteria are different from those at the time of clinical infection. This discrepancy has not been adequately explained. We hypothesized that the cause is bacterial contamination at operation and compared the results of bacterial cultures between patients with de novo pacemaker implantation and those with pacemaker replacement. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively enrolled consecutive 100 patients who underwent cardiac pacemaker implantation (49 de novo implantations, 51 replacements). We took swab cultures from inside the generator pocket (1) immediately after the creation of new pocket or removal of old generator, (2) after connection of leads to new generator, and (3) after pocket lavage. Swab cultures were positive in 272 (45%) of 600 samples. The majority of the cultured bacteria were Propionibacterium species. No statistical difference was detected between de novo implantations and replacements in the positive ratio of swab cultures. The positive ratio was not correlated with the number of previous device replacements. CONCLUSIONS: The positive ratio of swab cultures was not different between new implantations and replacements, suggesting that a positive culture merely indicates contamination of bacteria during operation rather than colonization.

Infection of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: detection with sonication, swab cultures, and blood cultures.

BACKGROUND: The number of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is increasing. The purpose of this study was to compare three methods (sonication, swab cultures, and blood cultures) to detect bacteria in infections of CIEDs. METHODS: Patients with pocket infection of CIEDs and/or CIED-associated infective endocarditis were prospectively included. Generators and leads were sonicated together. Swab cultures of the generator pocket and blood cultures were performed. RESULTS: Between January 2009 and September 2012, 18 patients with a CIED infection were recorded, including two definite and four possible CIED-IEs. In 17 patients, blood cultures were performed and the device was analyzed by sonication. A swab culture from the device pocket was performed in 16 cases. Ten (59%) patients received antibiotic therapy before the device was removed. In 15 of 16 cases (94%), bacteria were detected by sonication, while bacteria were detected in only nine (56%) and seven (41%) cases by swab-and blood cultures, respectively. In four cases (24%), sonication was the only method that detected bacteria. The following bacteria were detected by sonication: methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA; n = 6), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS; n = 3), Propionibacterium acnes (n = 2), Staphylococcus lugdunensis (n = 1), MSSA/Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 1),Bacillus cereus (n = 1), MSSA/P. acnes (n = 1), andP. acnes/CNS (n = 1). All positive swab cultures and all positive blood cultures but one grew the same bacteria as sonication fluid cultures. CONCLUSION: Sonication can be more sensitive than swab cultures or blood cultures in detecting bacteria in infections of CIEDs.

Candida and cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: a case of lead and native aortic valve endocarditis and literature review.

Use of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED), including permanent pacemakers (PPM) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), has increased dramatically over the past two decades. Most CIED infections are caused by staphylococci. Fungal causes are rare and their prognosis is poor. To our knowledge, there has not been a previously reported case of multifocal Candida endocarditis involving both a native left-sided heart valve and a CIED lead. Here, we report the case of a 70-year-old patient who presented with nausea, vomiting, and generalised fatigue, and was found to have Candida glabrata endocarditis involving both a native aortic valve and right atrial ICD lead. We review the literature and summarise four additional cases of CIED-associated Candida endocarditis published from 2009 to 2014, updating a previously published review of cases prior to 2009. We additionally review treatment guidelines and discuss management of CIED-associated Candida endocarditis.

Prevention of pacemaker infections with perioperative antimicrobial treatment: an in vitro study.

AIMS: The antimicrobial treatment of pacemaker casings with antiseptics (povidone-iodine or octenidine dihydrochloride) or antibiotics (vancomycin, daptomycin, cefuroxime, Tazobac, or nebacetin) was analysed in vitro for its biocompatibility and efficacy in preventing the bacterial adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli to cardiac-implantable electrophysiological devices (CIEDs). METHODS AND RESULTS: Titan platelets (0.4 cm²) cut from pacemaker casings were impregnated with seven different antimicrobial solutions: two antiseptics and five antibiotics. Subsequently, they were challenged with bacterial contamination by four test strains over a 24 h incubation period. Bacterial adherence was quantified using the colony-forming-unit method after cell recovery with sonication and examined with confocal laser scanning electron microscopy. Simultaneously, the biocompatibility of the antimicrobial impregnation was assessed using pre-treated titan platelets in a culture of human fibroblasts, skeletal myoblasts, and microvascular endothelial cells. After a 48 h incubation, cell vitality was measured using the 2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H/tetrazolium monosodium (WST-8) assay. The immersion of pacemaker casings in antiseptic or antibiotic solutions applies an antimicrobial coating that can significantly reduce bacterial adhesion. The studied impregnations differed in their antimicrobial efficacy and toxicity. CONCLUSION: Compared with the two antiseptics and the other tested antibiotics, nebacetin showed the best ratio of efficacy to toxicity. Nebacetin showed good in vitro antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens without impairing human cell vitality. It is a safe and effective candidate for CIED impregnation.

Reuse of infected cardiac rhythm management devices in the same patients: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, patients with a cardiac rhythm management device (CRMD) that has become infected cannot always afford a new device, and reuse of the infected CRMD may be appropriate. To evaluate the safety of this practice, a cohort of consecutive patients with reused pacemakers was compared with a control group. METHODS: A single-center cohort of consecutive patients treated from 2007 to 2012 was analyzed in a two-way noninferiority study. Patients who had infected CRMDs removed at the Cardiovascular Center of The Peking University People's Hospital were enrolled, including those who had the same CRMD reimplanted and those who had a new CRMD implanted. RESULTS: This study included 212 patients, of who 99 (study group) had the same CRMD reimplanted, and 113 (control group) had a new CRMD implanted. During a mean follow-up period of 3.52 years (interquartile range: 2.1-4.7 years), 10 patients reached the primary end point of the study (infection, unexpected battery depletion, or device malfunction), including five (5%) in the study group and five (4.3%) in the control group. Recurrent infection occurred in three patients in the study group and two patients in the control group (3.0% vs 1.7%, relative risk: 1.29, 95% confidence interval: 0.62-2.29, P = 0.561). There were no cases of unexpected battery depletion in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Reuse of infected CRMDs in the same patients is noninferior to the implantation of new devices. In developing countries without full medical coverage, careful reuse of infected CRMDs can be considered.