Extraction of infected cardiac implantable electronic devices and the need for subsequent re-implantation

Abstract Background Little is known about rates of re-implantation and outcomes of patients not implanted with a device after transvenous lead extraction (TLE) in cardiac device related infections (CDRI). Methods All patients with CDRI were included in a prospective registry. After TLE, the indication for re-implantation was evaluated according to the patients' history and most recent cardiac examinations. All patients were followed for complications and mortality. In addition, in patients discharged without device the frequency of device implantations was analyzed. Results Among 302 patients, only 123 (40.7%) met the indication for implantation of the same cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED), 68 (22.5%) received a different device and 111 (36.8%) patients were discharged without CIED. Reimplanted patients were younger (70 ± 11 vs. 73 ± 13 years; p = 0.004), more often male (83 vs. 69%, p = 0.006), had less systemic infection (38 vs. 60%; p  Conclusion More than one third of patients undergoing TLE for CDRI in our study are not implanted with a new device. Careful evaluation of the initial CIED indication allows for detection of over treated patients and may avoid unnecessary device–related complications.