Management of pacemaker-dependent patients and follow-up
In patients without bacteremia who were pacemaker-dependent,
contralateral implantation of a new CIED device was performed during the
same procedure. In pacing-dependent patients with bacteremia or those
considered at high risk of reinfection, contralateral implantation was
performed once blood cultures were negative (with temporary pacing
through a femoral or jugular temporary pacemaker). Antibiotics were
given according to institutional protocols. The vast majority of
patients had an initial follow-up six weeks after the procedure, but the
long-term follow-up (every six months) was performed only in those
patients who had the device reimplanted. At each in-office follow-up,
wound sites were examined, and patients were interrogated for symptoms
of CIED infection and chlorhexidine-related adverse events. We used
electronic medical records and phone calls to patients and their
relatives to ensure data completion.