Chlorhexidine vs Povidone-Iodine Alcohol Solutions for Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: A Prospective...

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves heart failure outcomes and reduces morbidity and mortality but carries the highest infection risk among cardiac implantable electronic devices. Studies on surgical-site infections show conflicting results regarding the use of alcohol-based povidone-iodine vs chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis, especially as CRT implantation remains insufficiently studied.

This study sought to compare the effectiveness of 2% alcohol-based chlorhexidine with that of 4-phase povidone-iodine-alcohol skin preparation in preventing local or systemic infections after cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation, and to assess the impact on other major cardiovascular events and treatment-related adverse effects over 24 months.

In this randomized, multicenter, open-label trial with blinded outcome adjudication, patients undergoing CRT (implantation, upgrade, or replacement) pacemaker, or defibrillator implantation were assigned 1:1 to receive skin antisepsis with either 2% alcoholic chlorhexidine or alcoholic povidone-iodine. Randomization was conducted centrally using an interactive web-response system, with stratification according to trial center. The primary outcome was local or systemic infection related to the device over a 24-month follow-up period. The secondary outcomes were major cardiovascular events and noninfectious side effects.

From April 2013 to December 2018, 2,272 patients were randomized to the chlorhexidine (n = 1,143) or the povidone-iodine group (n = 1,129). Median age was 72 years; 75.1% were men. Device-related infections occurred in 2.9% of the chlorhexidine group and 3.9% of the povidone-iodine group (adjusted subhazard ratio: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.48-1.20; P = 0.23). Major cardiovascular events occurred in 31.5% and 31.3% of patients, respectively (subhazard ratio: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.87-1.17). Noninfectious local side effects occurred in 12.9% vs 13.3%.

The study did not demonstrate a significant reduction in infection rates with alcoholic chlorhexidine compared with alcoholic povidone-iodine in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization device implantation. Both antiseptics showed similar rates of major infectious and noninfectious events. Further research is needed to optimize infection prevention strategies in this population. (Comparison of Alcoholic Chlorhexidine 2% Versus Alcoholic Povidone Iodine for Infections Prevention With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Device Implantation [CHLOVIS]; NCT01841242).