Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 12, 2026

Animal Model of Implant-Associated Infections in Mice
Published on: June 27, 2025
How to Approach Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices and Bacteremia
Tiffany Ying Hu1, Jay Alan Montgomery1
1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Arrhythmia Section, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Insights
Diagnosing cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections requires vigilance. Advanced imaging and device extraction are key for confirmed CIED infections, while empiric extraction decisions need careful consideration of long-term effects.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are common, but susceptible to infection.
- Bacteremia in patients with CIEDs raises suspicion for device infection.
- Microorganism type and bacteremia duration influence infection probability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the diagnostic and management approach for patients with CIEDs and bacteremia.
- To highlight the role of advanced imaging in diagnosing CIED infections.
- To discuss the implications of empiric CIED extraction.
Main Methods:
- Review of diagnostic strategies for CIED infection.
- Evaluation of imaging modalities including transesophageal echocardiography and FDG-PET/CT.
- Analysis of treatment decisions, including device extraction.
Main Results:
- High index of suspicion is crucial for CIED infection diagnosis.
- FDG-PET/CT enhances sensitivity and specificity for CIED infection when echocardiography is equivocal.
- Confirmed CIED infection necessitates complete system extraction.
Conclusions:
- Management of CIED infections involves careful consideration of diagnostic tools and treatment options.
- Empiric CIED extraction requires balancing benefits against risks like suboptimal reimplantation.
- Long-term outcomes must be factored into clinical decision-making for CIED management.
Abstract:
The approach to a patient with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) and bacteremia requires a high index of suspicion. The microorganism and duration of bacteremia affect the pretest probability of CIED infection. When transesophageal echocardiography findings are equivocal, fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/computed tomography can increase the sensitivity and specificity for CIED infection. Confirmed CIED infection warrants complete system extraction. In patients with persistent gram-positive bacteremia despite antimicrobial therapy and unclear involvement of the CIED, the device is sometimes empirically extracted. Long-term effects of extraction (such as risk of suboptimal/failed cardiac resynchronization therapy reimplant) should be factored into decisions regarding empiric CIED extraction.
More Related Videos
07:50An In Vitro Model of a Parallel-Plate Perfusion System to Study Bacterial Adherence to Graft Tissues
Published on: January 7, 2019
10:04A Zebrafish Embryo Model for In Vivo Visualization and Intravital Analysis of Biomaterial-associated Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: January 7, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Endocarditis I: Introduction
Endocarditis III: Medical Management
Bacterial Signaling
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management