Surveillance Cultures and Infection in 230 Pacemaker and Defibrillator Generator Changes in Pediatric and Adult Congenital Patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Postoperative infections can occur during surgical replacement of pulse generators for pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. The incidence of infection is poorly documented in children and patients with adult congenital heart disease. The utility of surveillance cultures obtained from device pocket swabs is unknown in this group.

Methods

We reviewed surgical replacements of cardiovascular implantable pulse generators from 2010 to 2017. Two cohorts were defined. In a surveillance cohort (123 patients), aerobic and anaerobic culture swabs of the device pocket were obtained at the time of generator change. In a nonsurveillance cohort (107 patients), generator change occurred without obtaining cultures.

Results

During 230 generator changes (me

SUBMITTER: Webster G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8494496 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature