New expert guidelines highlight the importance of quickly diagnosing and treating CIED infections

Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) such as pacemakers and implantable defibrillators are associated with a higher infection risk than many cardiologists realize. One study, in fact, found that as many as 1 in 20 patients go on to develop an infection within three years of receiving a CIED.[1]

Though removal of the affected CIED is typically the smartest treatment option—and one supported by specialty groups all over the world—a majority of patients keep living with the device, often resulting in hospitalization or even death.[2]

The American Heart Association (AHA) hoped to address this issue by putting together the National CIED Infection Initiative, a two-year collaboration between leading cardiologists, medical societies, patient groups and other key stakeholders. That group has now published a 24-page report, “Bridging Gaps in Awareness, Detection and Appropriate Treatment of CIED Infections,” detailing its recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of these potentially fatal infections.  

“CIED infections, although not frequent, are not rare either, and recent research shows just one in five patients with a CIED infection has the device fully removed,” Bruce Wilkoff, MD, volunteer chair of the CIED Infection Summit planning group and director of cardiac pacing and tachyarrhythmia devices at Cleveland Clinic, said in a prepared statement from the AHA. “The cost is pain, hospitalization, surgery and, when not recognized and treated appropriately, death. Although effective therapies are available, many of these infections are not detected or treated according to guidelines.”