Strategies to Prevent Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infection.

The association between the risk of mortality and cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infections has been well-established in the literature. As CIED implantations have increased in frequency in the past few decades, the incidence of CIED-related infections has also risen. Given the morbidity, mortality, and health-care costs associated with CIED infections, the prevention of device-related infection is a critical goal. Risk factors for developing CIED infections can be categorized as patient-, procedure-, or device-related. Numerous studies have highlighted different strategies for preventing CIED-related infections, which include patient optimization, device selection, and periprocedural preparation and treatment. Nonetheless, as the comorbidity burden of patients undergoing CIED implantation continues to increase, significant challenges in the successful elimination of CIED-related infections remain. This review provides a comprehensive overview of available evidence-based approaches and strategies to reduce the risk of CIED infections.
Competing Interests: Dr. Thomas reports receiving research support from Biotronik and Medtronic, consulting fees from Medtronic, and speaker fees from Biotronik. Dr. Cheung reports receiving research support from Biotronik; consulting and speaker fees from Abbott Laboratories and Biotronik; and fellowship grant support from Abbott Laboratories, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic. The other authors report no conflicts of interest for the published content.
(Copyright: © 2020 Innovations in Cardiac Rhythm Management.)