Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
16:40
A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Permanent pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator infection: a population-based study
Daniel Z Uslan1, Muhammad R Sohail, Jennifer L St Sauver
1Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. duslan@mednet.ucla.edu
Archives of Internal Medicine
|April 11, 2007
Summary
Cardiac device infections are common, particularly with Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (BSI). Patients with defibrillators have a higher infection rate than those with pacemakers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiac device infection incidence is not well understood.
- Bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients with pacemakers or defibrillators may indicate device infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of cardiac device infection in a population-based cohort.
- To compare infection rates between pacemakers and defibrillators.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, population-based cohort study (1975-2004) of adult cardiac device patients in Olmsted County, MN.
- Utilized the Rochester Epidemiology Project and standardized criteria to identify BSI and device infections.
- Calculated incidence using person-years of follow-up post-implantation.
Main Results:
- 1524 patients with cardiac devices were followed for 7578 person-years.
- The incidence of definite device infection was 1.9 per 1000 device-years.
- Device infection cumulative probability was higher for defibrillators than pacemakers (P<.001).
- Staphylococcus aureus BSI was associated with higher rates of definite or possible cardiac device infection (54.6%) compared to gram-negative bacilli BSI (12.0%).
Conclusions:
- This is the first population-based study to report cardiac device infection incidence.
- Cardiac device infection is common during Staphylococcus aureus BSI.
- Defibrillator recipients have a higher cardiac device infection rate than pacemaker recipients.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Endocarditis I: Introduction
Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
01:29Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...
01:30Pulse rhythm
Pulse rhythm refers to the pattern of pulsations within specific intervals, offering valuable insights into the regularity or irregularity of the heart's beats as observed through the pattern of pulsation within specific intervals. A regular pulse exhibits a consistent heart rate with uniform waveforms and pulsation force, variations of which can be classified as normal, weak, or bounding.
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac muscle...
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac muscle...
01:18Endocarditis III: Medical Management
Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...