Increase in Infection Rates in Patients With Cardiac Electrophysiological Devices

Researchers analyzed data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample -- a national database of hospital discharge records -- from 1993-2008 and found a significant increase in CIED-related infections.
Further analysis showed a jump in infections after 2004, directly correlating with an increase in four major comorbidities: renal failure, respiratory failure, heart failure and diabetes.
The study showed a 96 percent increase in CIED implantation, mostly due to a marked increase in the use of ICDs.  "The number of Americans receiving pacemakers and defibrillators has dramatically increased. 
This analysis shows that the infection risk associated with these devices has, unfortunately, increased as well.

Source:   Daniel R. Frisch, MD,  et al.  August 30 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.