FYI: "pocket infections "

• by pacepal
• 2008-11-01 05:11:04
• General Posting
• 1685 views
• 7 comments

To All,

Many of us have had a problem with PM/ICD site implant
infection....the following addresses this issue & a possible
solution....just thought someone might be interested. Karen

AIGISRxTM Anti-bacterial Envelope
Surgical Site Infections “pocket infections” associated with implanted pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators are estimated to cost over $1 billion annually. Approximately 500,000 pacemakers and defibrillators are implanted annually in the United States with estimates as high as 7% being explanted due to infection. Not only are the pacemakers and defibrillators removed, the entire system is normally removed, including leads (wires connecting the device to the heart). “Pocket infections” are not only costly but are debilitating to patients and are causes of pain and loss of productivity. A recent article appearing in the Heart Rhythm Journal, April 2008, states, “indications (for extractions) were infection (60.3%), mechanical lead failure (29.3%) and upgrade of device system (8.8%)”. “Pocket infections” may occur days, weeks and months after the device has been implanted. Although antibiotics are administered in conjunction with these implant procedures - “pocket infections” can occur.
In January 2008, the FDA cleared the AIGISRxTM Anti-bacterial Envelope for United States market release. AIGISRxTM has been shown to reduce infection by 100% in an in-vivo (animal model) bacterial challenge associated with implanted pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators. AIGISRxTM is a polypropylene mesh (similar to a hernia mesh) coated with a fully resorbable polymer which carries two antibiotics – minocycline and rifampin. At time of implant the physician inserts the pacemaker or defibrillator into the AIGISRxTM mesh and then places both the device and AIGISRxTM into the surgically created pocket of the patient. The antibiotics provide localized antimicrobial activity within the surgically created pocket.

AIGISRxTM has been implanted by some of the top teaching hospitals in the United States.

Before your next pacemaker or defibrillator implant, you may want to ask your doctor about the possibility of infection and if the AIGISRxTM mesh envelope is an option for you.
To learn more, visit www.TYRX.com