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Infections Involving Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator Devices
Author(s) -
BAKKER PATRICIA F.A.,
HAUER RICHARD N.W.,
WEVER ERIC F.D.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8159.1992.tb05158.x
Subject(s) - medicine , general hospital , cardiothoracic surgery , university hospital , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , cardiology , general surgery , surgery
Infection is one of the most serious complications in patients with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator. The diagnosis is facilitated by computed tomographic and radionuclide imaging. Infection may be caused by intraoperative contamination or hematogenous seeding. In view of the serious consequences, the emphasis should be on prevention of these events. Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is common practice but the utility of prophylactic antibiotic remote from surgery is questionable. Strict adherence to asepsis and a meticulous surgical technique are essential. Identification of risk factors in the individual patient allows a patient-tailored treatment policy that may add to infection prevention. If implant infection does occur, complete removal of the system is most successful.