Clinical Presentation, Timing, and Microbiology of CIED Infections: An Analysis of the WRAP-IT Trial

Antibiotic-impregnated envelopes reduce the rate of surgical site infection in deep brain stimulation pulse generators: a comparative study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure that has been used to treat a variety of neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. While DBS is generally considered safe and effective, surgical site infections (SSIs) are a potential complication that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Our objective was to investigate the use of antibiotic-impregnated envelopes (AIEs) encasing implantable pulse generators (IPGs) to reduce the rate of infection at IPG sites and the costs.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis at a single center encompassing all procedures involving the placement of Implantable Pulse Generators (IPG), including both initial insertions and replacement surgeries. The study period spanned from January 2017 to May 2024. Starting in 2020, the routine utilization of AIE became standard practice at our institute for both primary DBS implantation and IPG replacements. Surgical techniques remained consistent, pre- and post-operative antibiotic protocols were standardized throughout the study period and all cases were undertaken by a single surgeon.

RESULTS

178 patients were included and the overall incidence of IPG SSIs was found to be 1.7% (1 infection in 58 patients; 20 primary IPG/38 IPG replacements) among those who received an AIE compared to 5% (6 infections in 120 patients; 36 primary IPG/84 replacement IPG) in patients where no AIE was utilized. This resulted in an odds ratio for infection that was 2.9 times higher in the absence of AIE. The decrease in infection rates was observed in both primary and replacement IPG implants. Notably, over 80% of patients with IPG infection required surgical intervention. The use of AIE further resulted in significant cost savings.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the largest series reporting the efficacy of Antibiotic impregnated envelope (AIE) in modifying infection rates associated with both initial and replacement Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Implantable Pulse Generators (IPGs). The implementation of AIEs led to a decrease in the occurrence of IPG-related infections, observed across both primary implantations and replacement surgeries, with associated economic benefits.

Outcome of Corynebacterial Bloodstream Infection in Patients With Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: A Brief Report and Systematic Review

Cardiac implantable electronic device infection in the context of corynebacterial bloodstream infection (BSI) remains poorly understood. From 2012 to 2023 at Mayo Clinic, 4 of 12 patients with corynebacterial BSI had cardiac implantable electronic device infection: 1 patient was diagnosed during a relapsing BSI episode. Undefined source, persistent BSI, and the presence of a prosthetic cardiac valve were common characteristics.

Update on Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infections and Their Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association: Endorsed by the International Society for Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases

The American Heart Association sponsored the first iteration of a scientific statement that addressed all aspects of cardiovascular implantable electronic device infection in 2010. Major advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of these infections have occurred since then, necessitating a scientific statement update. An 11-member writing group was identified and included recognized experts in cardiology and infectious diseases, with a career focus on cardiovascular infections. The group initially met in October 2022 to develop a scientific statement that was drafted with front-line clinicians in mind and focused on providing updated clinical information to enhance outcomes of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic device infection. The current scientific statement highlights recent advances in prevention, diagnosis, and management, and how they may be incorporated in the complex care of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic device infection.

Use of a taurolidine containing antimicrobial wash to reduce cardiac implantable electronic device infection

AIMS

TauroPace (Tauropharm, Bavaria Germany), a taurolidine solution for combating cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection, was compared with a historical control of 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a prospective observational study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The device pocket was irrigated, and all hardware accessible within (leads, suture sleeves, pulse generator) was wiped with H2O2, TauroPace, or taurolidine in a galenic formulation during any invasive CIED procedure at the study centre. Only CIED procedures covered by TauroPace or H2O2 from 1 January 2017 to 28 February 2022 were included for analysis. Patients who underwent >1 procedure were censored for the last treatment group and reassigned at the next procedure. The primary endpoint was major CIED infection within 3 months. The secondary endpoints were CIED infection beyond 3 months, adverse events potentially related to the antimicrobial solutions, CIED system, procedure, and death, till the end of follow-up. TauroPace covered 654 procedures on 631 patients, and H2O2 covered 551 procedures on 532 patients. The TauroPace group had more patient risk factors for infection than the H2O2 group (P = 0.0058) but similar device and procedure-specific risk factors (P = 0.17). Cardiac implantable electronic device infection occurred in 0/654 (0%) of the TauroPace group and 6/551 (1.1%) of the H2O2 group (P = 0.0075). Death occurred in 23/654 (3.5%) of the TauroPace group and 14/551 (2.5%) of the H2O2 group (P = 0.33). Non-infection related adverse events were rarer in the TauroPace (3.8%) than the H2O2 (6.0%) group (P = 0.0802).

CONCLUSION

TauroPace is safe but more effective than H2O2 in reducing CIED infection.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05576194.

The European TauroPace™ Registry

BACKGROUND

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) placement comes with certain complications. CIED infection is a severe adverse event related to CIED placement. In randomised controlled trials, the preoperative intravenous administration of antibiotics and the adjunctive use of an antibiotic mesh envelope resulted in significant reduction in infections related to cardiac implantable electronic devices. The adjunctive use of taurolidine for this purpose is relatively novel and not considered in the guidelines. The required evidence may consist of a set of clinical studies.

METHODS

The European TauroPaceTM registry (ETPR) prospectively evaluates every consecutive invasive procedure involving any CIED with adjunct TauroPace™ use in the contributing centres. As the estimation of the infection rate needs to be defensible, only interventions registered prior to the procedure will be followed-up. The endpoint is a major cardiac implantable electronic device infection according to the novel CIED infection criteria (1). Secondary endpoints comprise all-cause mortality, complications, adverse events of all grades, and major CIED infections during all follow-up examinations. The follow-up times are three months, twelve months, and eventually 36 months, as acute, subacute, and long-term CIED infections are of interest.

RESULTS

As the rate of CIED infections is expected to be very low, this registry is a multicentre, international project that will run for several years. Several reports are planned. The analyses will be included in the case number calculations for future randomised controlled trials.

CONCLUSIONS

The ETPR will accumulate large case numbers to estimate small event rates more precisely; we intend to follow up on participants for years to reveal possible late effects.

Preclinical evaluation of a third-generation absorbable antibacterial envelope

BACKGROUND

The TYRX (Medtronic) absorbable antibacterial envelope has been shown to stabilize implantable cardiac devices and reduce infection. A third-generation envelope was developed to reduce surface roughness with a redesigned multifilament mesh and enhanced form factor but identical polymer coating and antibiotic concentrations as the currently available second-generation envelope.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare drug elution, bacterial challenge efficacy, stabilization, and absorption of second- vs third-generation envelopes.

METHODS

Antibiotic elution was assessed in vitro and in vivo. For efficacy against gram-positive/gram-negative bacteria, 40 rabbits underwent device insertions with or without third-generation envelopes. For stabilization (migration, rotation), 5 sheep were implanted with 6 devices each in second- or third-generation envelopes. Prespecified acceptance criteria were <83-mm migration and <90° rotation. Absorption was assessed via gross pathology.

RESULTS

Elution curves were equivalent (similarity factors ≥50 per Food and Drug Administration guidance). Third-generation envelopes eluted antibiotics above minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in vivo at 2 hours postimplant through 7 days, consistent with second-generation envelopes. Bacterial challenge showed reductions (P <.05) in infection with second- and third-generation envelopes. Device migration was 5.5 ± 3.5 mm (third-generation) vs 9. 9 ±7.9 mm (second-generation) (P <.05). Device rotation was 18.9° ± 11.4° (third-generation) vs 17.6° ± 15.1° (second-generation) and did not differ (P = .79). Gross pathology confirmed the absence of luminal mesh remainders and no differences in peridevice fibrosis at 9 or 12 weeks.

CONCLUSION

The third-generation TYRX absorbable antibacterial envelope demonstrated equivalent preclinical performance to the second-generation envelope. Antibiotic elution curves were similar, elution was above MIC for 7 days, infections were reduced compared to no envelope, and acceptance criteria for migration, rotation, and absorption were met.

Safety and Efficacy of Submuscular Implantation With Resterilized Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device in Patients With Device Infection: A Retrospective Observational Study in Taiwan

Background

Reuse of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) can reduce the cost of using these expensive devices. However, whether resterilized CIEDs will increase the risk of reinfection in patients with previous device infection remains unknown. The aim of the present study is to compare the reinfection rates in patients who had initial CIED infection and underwent reimplantation of resterilized CIEDs or new devices.

Methods

Data from patients with initial CIED infection who received debridement of the infected pocket and underwent reimplantation of new or resterilized CIEDs at MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, between January 2014 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics, relapse rates of infection, and potential contributing factors to the infection risk were examined.

Results

Twenty-seven patients with initial CIED infection and reimplanted new CIEDs (n = 11) or resterilized CIEDs (n = 16) were included. During the 2-year follow-up, there were 1 (9.1%) and 2 (12.5%) infection relapses in the new and resterilized CIED groups, respectively. No relapse occurred for either group if the lead was completely removed or cut short. The median duration between debridement and device reimplantation in patients with infection relapse vs patients without relapse was 97 vs 4.5 days for all included patients, and 97 vs 2 days and 50.5 vs 5.5 days for the new and resterilized CIED groups, respectively.

Conclusions

Subpectoral reimplanting of resterilized CIEDs in patients with previous device infection is safe and efficacious. With delicate debridement and complete extraction of the leads, the CIED pocket infection relapse risk can be greatly decreased.

Role of Implantable Drug Delivery Devices with Dual Platform Capabilities in the Prevention and Treatment of Bacterial Osteomyelitis

As medicine advances and physicians are able to provide patients with innovative solutions, including placement of temporary or permanent medical devices that drastically improve quality of life of the patient, there is the persistent, recurring problem of chronic bacterial infection, including osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis can manifest as a result of traumatic or contaminated wounds or implant-associated infections. This bacterial infection can persist as a result of inadequate treatment regimens or the presence of biofilm on implanted medical devices. One strategy to mitigate these concerns is the use of implantable medical devices that simultaneously act as local drug delivery devices (DDDs). This classification of device has the potential to prevent or aid in clearing chronic bacterial infection by delivering effective doses of antibiotics to the area of interest and can be engineered to simultaneously aid in tissue regeneration. This review will provide a background on bacterial infection and current therapies as well as current and prospective implantable DDDs, with a particular emphasis on local DDDs to combat bacterial osteomyelitis.

Incidence and Predictors of Infections and All-Cause Death in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: The Italian Nationwide RI-AIAC Registry

BACKGROUND

The incidence of infections associated with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and patient outcomes are not fully known.

AIM

To provide a contemporary assessment of the risk of CIEDs infection and associated clinical outcomes.

METHODS

In Italy, 18 centres enrolled all consecutive patients undergoing a CIED procedure and entered a 12-months follow-up. CIED infections, as well as a composite clinical event of infection or all-cause death were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 2675 patients (64.3% male, age 78 (70-84)) were enrolled. During follow up 28 (1.1%) CIED infections and 132 (5%) deaths, with 152 (5.7%) composite clinical events were observed. At a multivariate analysis, the type of procedure (revision/upgrading/reimplantation) (OR: 4.08, 95% CI: 1.38-12.08) and diabetes (OR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.02-4.84) were found as main clinical factors associated to CIED infection. Both the PADIT score and the RI-AIAC Infection score were significantly associated with CIED infections, with the RI-AIAC infection score showing the strongest association (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.60-3.55 for each point), with a c-index = 0.64 (0.52-0.75), p = 0.015. Regarding the occurrence of composite clinical events, the Kolek score, the Shariff score and the RI-AIAC Event score all predicted the outcome, with an AUC for the RI-AIAC Event score equal to 0.67 (0.63-0.71) p < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

In this Italian nationwide cohort of patients, while the incidence of CIED infections was substantially low, the rate of the composite clinical outcome of infection or all-cause death was quite high and associated with several clinical factors depicting a more impaired clinical status.

Brucella cardiac implantable electronic device infection: A single-center case series

BACKGROUND

Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), including implantable cardiac defibrillators, pacemakers, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices, are lifesaving. However, device infections can lead to morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the outcome of Brucella CIED infections treated at our center, and to identify risk factors for Brucella infection in patients with CIEDs. Study Settings: Single-center study, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, KSA.

METHODS

This case series included all Brucella-related CIED infections treated at a tertiary care center between 2009 and 2020. Data on patient demographics, clinical manifestations, predisposing factors, microbiology, treatment regimens, and outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients met the Brucella CIED infection criteria. The mean age was 62.2 years, and 80% were males. Common comorbidities included hypertension (73%), diabetes mellitus (67%), ischemic heart disease (47%), and chronic kidney disease (60%). The mean time to infection following the device implantation was 4.8 years (range: 5 months to 13 years). Fever was detected in 53% of patients, device site swelling in 47%, purulent discharge in 33%, and pain in 27%. The blood culture and serology results were positive in 73% and 80% of patients, respectively. All patients were treated with antibiotics, and the infected device was removed. Seven (46.6%) patients underwent reimplantation with a new device. One patient with dual Brucella and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus infection died, and the other 14 patients recovered, with no recurrent infections reported to date.

CONCLUSION

Brucella should be considered in CIED infections, particularly in endemic areas. Proper treatment and device removal are essential for good outcomes.

Infectious consequences of hematoma from cardiac implantable electronic device procedures and the role of the antibiotic envelope: A WRAP-IT trial analysis

BACKGROUND

Hematoma is a complication of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures and may lead to device infection. The TYRX antibacterial envelope reduced major CIED infection by 40% in the randomized WRAP-IT (World-wide Randomized Antibiotic Envelope Infection Prevention Trial) study, but its effectiveness in the presence of hematoma is not well understood.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and infectious consequences of hematoma and the association between envelope use, hematomas, and major CIED infection among WRAP-IT patients.

METHODS

All 6800 study patients were included in this analysis (control 3429; envelope 3371). Hematomas occurring within 30 days postprocedure (acute) were characterized and grouped by study treatment and evaluated for subsequent infection risk. Data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression modeling.

RESULTS

Acute hematoma incidence was 2.2% at 30 days, with no significant difference between treatment groups (envelope vs control hazard ratio [HR] 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84-1.58; P = .39). Through all follow-up, the risk of major infection was significantly higher among control patients with hematoma vs those without (13.1% vs 1.6%; HR 11.3; 95% CI 5.5-23.2; P <.001). The risk of major infection was significantly lower in the envelope vs control patients with hematoma (2.5% vs 13.1%; HR 0.18; 95% CI 0.04-0.85; P = .03).

CONCLUSION

The risk of hematoma was 2.2% among WRAP-IT patients. Among control patients, hematoma carried a >11-fold risk of developing a major CIED infection. This risk was significantly mitigated with antibacterial envelope use, with an 82% reduction in major CIED infection among envelope patients who developed hematoma compared to control.