Local gentamicin-collagen sponge reduces cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections and pocket hematoma

Implantation or replacement of a cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) may be associated with complications, such as pocket hematomas and infections. This study aims to determine whether a lyophilized gentamycin-containing collagen implant (GCCI) reduces major CIED infections and pocket hematomas after implant.

A retrospective study was conducted among patients who underwent implantation or replacement of CIED at the Tor Vergata Polyclinic (Rome, Italy) between June 2007 and November 2019. The primary combined endpoint was infection and hematoma occurrence through 12 months of follow-up post-procedure. The rate of single infectious complications, pocket hematomas or both were also assessed.

We compared 475 patients treated with the GCCI (GCCI group) with 714 patients who did not receive it (control group). Complications occurred in 127 patients (11%); a statistically significant reduction of infections and pocket hematomas in the GCCI group was reported when compared with control patients (1% vs. 17%; p<0.0001). A total of 20 (2%) infectious events were reported, 102 (8%) patients developed a pocket hematoma, and 5 (0.4%) had both. The rate of single complications was significantly lower in GCCI group: infection 0.2% vs. 2.6% (p=0.002), pocket hematoma 0.6% vs. 13.8% (p<0.001). The association between antiplatelet/anticoagulation therapy and hematoma development was not statistically significant.

The GCCI is a medical device that can be used in addition to local hemostasis and prophylactic doses of systemic antibiotics with the aim of reducing infective complications and pocket hematoma after permanent CIED implantation or replacement.