The infected pacemaker pocket

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1979 Aug;78(2):298-300.

Abstract

Between January, 1963, and September, 1978, a total of 1,789 pacemakers were implanted at Henry Ford Hospital. Infection at the site of implantation developed in 19 instances for an incidence of 1.06 percent. The most common organism cultured was Staphylococcus epidermidis, and conservative treatment was successful with these patients. In all patients with organisms other than Staphylococcus epidermidis, reimplantation of a new unit in a new, clean site was required.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bacterial Infections / etiology*
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / etiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Klebsiella Infections / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pacemaker, Artificial / adverse effects*
  • Proteus Infections / etiology
  • Pseudomonas Infections / etiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / etiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection* / microbiology
  • Thoracic Diseases / etiology*
  • Thoracic Diseases / microbiology