Pacemaker infections: a 12-year review
Lemire, G.G.; Morin, J.E.; Dobell, A.R.
Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal Canadien de Chirurgie 18(2): 181-184
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-428X PMID: 1116057 Document Number: 91500
In a 12-year period, 546 pacemaker-related operations were complicated by 23 infections (infection rate, 4.2%). Most of these infections were treated successfully, but two cases of infection were fatal. The most frequently encountered organism was Staphylococcus epidermidis. In 14 cases, infection occurred despite the preoperative administration of cloxacillin to which the organism was sensitive in 13 of the cases. The skin flora constitute the most likely source of contamination. The ideal treatment consists of removal of all foreign material and replacement with a new pacing system by an alternative route.