How long should prophylactic antibiotics be prescribed for permanent pacemaker implantations? one day versus three days

Kuang Hsing Chiang, Tze Fan Chao, Wen Shin Lee, Yenn Jiang Lin, Ta Chuan Tuan, Chi Woon Kong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The implantation of a pacemaker is frequently a life-saving procedure. However, the process of implantation may carry an uncommon but potentially life-threatening infective complication. The prescription of prophylactic antibiotics is an effective way to reduce the risk of infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of 2 prophylactic antibiotic schemes and the possible risk factors associated with device-related infections. Methods: A total of 194 consecutive patients who received permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantations were enrolled in this study. Prophylactic antibiotics were prescribed for every patient with a duration of either 1 day or 3 days. The follow-up period was 3 months, and any event of device-related infection was recorded. Results: Out of the total 194 patients, there were 5 patients who experienced infective complications after PPM implantation (1 patient in the 1-day group and 4 patients in the 3-day group). The rate of infective complications showed no significant difference between the 2 kinds of antibiotic regimens (1.7% vs. 2.9%, p > 0.99). In the multivariate analysis, only the presence of pocket hematoma was an independent risk factor for infective complications (odds ratio = 3.14, p = 0.018). Conclusions: Our study showed that the efficacies for prevention of PPM-related infections were similar between the 1-day and 3-day regimens of prophylactic antibiotics. Pocket hematoma was an independent risk factor of infective complications, and a longer duration of antibiotic treatment may be considered for these patients. Otherwise, a 1-day course of antibiotic prophylaxis may be effective enough to prevent device-related infections, and may further reduce the lengths of hospitalizations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)341-346
Number of pages6
JournalActa Cardiologica Sinica
Volume29
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2013

Keywords

  • Complication
  • Infection
  • Permanent pacemaker implantation
  • Prophylatic antibiotics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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