Heart Beat: Steering clear of pacemaker infections
Heart Beat
Steering clear of pacemaker infections
As the number of people who get pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) grows year after year, so too does the number of people who develop infections from them. Up to 6% of people who get a pacemaker or ICD develop an infection from it, and the infection rate is growing faster than the implantation rate. Some of these infections are minor; some are very serious.
Finding factors that promote or prevent infection can help reduce this complication. French researchers did just that by combing through a database that included information on more than 6,000 people who had a pacemaker or ICD implanted. In this group, the chance of developing a post-procedure infection was increased by
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.