Lead-related Infective Endocarditis Research Articles

Outcomes in patients with definite and possible infective endocarditis related to a cardiac implantable electronic device.

Diagnosing lead‑related infective endocarditis (LRIE) often poses a substantial challenge. Current diagnostic criteria include definite and possible LRIE. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients with definite and possible LRIE undergoing transvenous lead extraction (TLE) procedures. A retrospective analysis of data from 3782 patients undergoing TLE between 2006 and 2023 was performed. The study included 838 patients with definite and possible LRIE, whose clinical data on short- and long‑term survival were evaluated. The comparison of clinical data showed more frequent occurrences of vegetations (81.58% vs 37.21%; P <0.001), positive blood cultures (66.12% vs 51.64%; P <0.001), and septic pulmonary embolism (40.14% vs 13.78%; P <0.001) in the patients with definite LRIE. Long‑term mortality of patients with definite and possible LRIE (median [interquartile range] follow-up, 4.61 [1.04-9.4] and 5.06 [2.07-8.75] years, respectively) was 61.14% and 49.29% (P <0.001). Predictors of mortality in patients with definite LRIE included: advanced age, low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), comorbidities, septic pulmonary embolism, positive blood culture, and presence of an abandoned lead. In possible LRIE, only the influence of advanced age, low LVEF, and comorbidities was demonstrated. There was no documented evidence of a direct impact of a delayed diagnosis on the long‑term survival of patients after TLE. The study showed better survival in patients with possible LRIE than with definite LRIE, which confirms the need to extend the diagnostic criteria. Introducing appropriate treatment at an early stage of infection improves the prognosis.

Single-Chamber and Dual-Chamber Pacemaker Devices in Adults with Moderate and Complex Congenital Heart Disease: A Single Tertiary Referral Center Experience.

The number of device implantation procedures has increased in adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD). Despite significant improvements in materials and implantation techniques, these patients are exposed to higher risk of device related complications than general population. Herein, we describe our single tertiary referral center experience on transvenous pacemaker (PM) implantation and follow-up in adult patients with moderate and complex congenital heart disease (CHD) as limited data are available on long-term outcome. We considered all adults with moderate and complex CHD aged more than 16 years who underwent transvenous single-chamber and dual-chamber PM implant for sinus node dysfunction or atrioventricular block between January 2013 to December 2022 at our Unit. Seventy-one ACHD patients were included in the study (mean age 38.6 ± 15.2 years, 64% with moderate CHD, 36% with complex CHD). Among 32 patients implanted with a dual chamber PM (DDD PM), 4 devices were reprogrammed in VDD mode, 3 in VVI and 2 in AAI mode during follow-up because of lead dysfunction or permanent atrial arrhythmia. In addition, 26 patients had a single chamber PM (AAI or VVI PM) and 13 patients had single-lead pacing system with a free-floating atrial electrode pair (VDD PM). Just one of 13 single-lead VDD PM was reprogrammed in VVI mode due to a low atrial sensing. In DDD PM group, 10 re-interventions were needed due to lead dysfunction (8 cases) and lead-related infective endocarditis (2 cases). Only 3 patients in the single-lead PM group developed lead dysfunction with 2 re-interventions needed, but no infective endocarditis was reported. The rate of long-term complications is high in moderate and complex ACHD with transvenous PM devices, and it is mainly lead-related. In our experience, the less leads implanted, the less complications will occur. Considering the heterogeneity of the ACHD population, transvenous single-chamber or dual-chamber PM device implantation should always be tailored on the single patient, balancing risks and benefits in this complex population.

Lead-related infective endocarditis with vegetations: Prevalence and impact of pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction.

The prevalence and impact of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with lead-related infective endocarditis undergoing transvenous lead extraction (TLE) are unknown. Twenty-five consecutive patients with vegetations ≥10 mm at transoesophageal echocardiography were prospectively studied. Contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) was performed before (pre-TLE) and after (post-TLE) the lead extraction procedure. Pre-TLE CT identified 18 patients (72%) with subclinical PE. The size of vegetations in patients with PE did not differ significantly from those without (median 20.0 mm [interquartile range: 13.0-30.0] vs. 14.0 mm [6.0-18.0], p = 0.116). Complete TLE success was achieved in all patients with 3 (2-3) leads extracted per procedure. There were no postprocedure complications related to the presence of PE and no differences in terms of fluoroscopy time and need for advanced tools.In the group of positive pre-TLE CT, post-TLE scan confirmed the presence of silent PE in 14 patients (78%). There were no patients with new PE formation. Large vegetations (≥20 mm) tended to increase the risk of post-TLE subclinical PE (odds ratio 5.99 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93-38.6], p = 0.059).During a median 19.4 months follow-up, no re-infection of the implanted system was reported. Survival rates in patients with and without post-TLE PE were similar (hazard ratio: 1.11 [95% CI: 0.18-6.67], p = 0.909). Subclinical PE detected by CT was common in patients undergoing TLE with lead-related infective endocarditis and vegetations but was not associated with the complexity of the procedure or adverse outcomes. TLE procedure seems safe and feasible even in patients with large vegetations.

Early, Delayed and Late Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infections: Do the Timing of Onset and Pathogens Matter?

Infections involving cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) occur at different times after device-related procedures. The aim of this study was to investigate the timing of onset and factors influencing the occurrence of all types of CIED infections to identify the type of pathogen and to examine the long-term survival of patients with all types of CIED infections. We performed a post hoc analysis of the clinical data from 3344 patients who underwent transvenous lead extraction (TLE) at a single high-volume center between 2006 and 2020, including a group of 890 patients with CIED infections. The occurrence of pocket infection (PI), lead-related infective endocarditis (LRIE) and PI coexisting with LRIE (PI + LRIE) was assessed at the following time intervals: 0–12 months, 13–36 months and > 36 months since last CIED-related procedure. In the study group, there were 274 (30.79%) early infections, 266 (29.89%) delayed infections and 350 (39.32%) late infections. Pocket infection was the most common early complication (97; 39.43%), while LRIE was predominant over 36 months from the last CIED procedure (172; 54.09%). The most common early infections were PIs that were associated with the preceding CIED-related procedure. Late LRIE was most likely to occur in patients with intracardiac lead abrasion. The probability of early versus late LRIE was higher in patients with CoNS cultures. The timing of infection onset irrespective of its type does not affect long-term survival after transvenous lead extraction. The majority of infectious complications (69%) occur more than 12 months after the last CIED-related procedure. Early infections are probably associated with pocket contamination during CIED-related procedure, while delayed and late systemic infections are related to other lead-dependent factors (especially to intracardiac lead abrasion). Time to LRIE onset is associated with pathogen type. The timing of symptom onset does not affect long-term survival after TLE.

Assessment of pacemaker lead-related infective endocarditis with three-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography

Pacemaker endocarditis is rare and symptoms may be misleading. If missed, it carries significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in the elderly. Advances in multi-modality imaging in recent years have emphasised its role in clinical decision making. This case highlights the ability of multi-modality imaging techniques to individualise diagnosis, management and prognosis in patients with suspected cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) endocarditis.

598 Are risk scores sufficient to stratify patients undergoing lead extraction? A single-centre analysis

Abstract Aims Device implantation is growing exponentially, as well as associated infections, ranging from isolated pocket erosion to endocarditis and bacteraemia, all worsening the prognosis of patients with frailty and comorbidity. Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) can resolve the complications, although a 1-year mortality risk of up to 25% is reported; despite higher health costs, prolonged hospitalization, and poor quality of life, strategies for predicting increased infection risk and reduced infection incidence are yet missing. Currently applied clinical scores do not consider etiologic microbial agents. We aimed to assess whether PADIT and UPCM scores could be implemented when bacteria or fungi are known to be causative of infection, and how these agents affected the outcome. Methods and results A retrospective analysis of patients undergone cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) pocket revision, and/or TLE between 2016 and 2021 was performed. For each procedure, microbiological samples of both generator pocket tissue and intracardiac portions of the leads were analysed. In addition, blood cultures were performed in three sets. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed in all cases for ruling out suspected endocarditis. Spearman ad Pearson coefficients were tested for correlation among microorganism, prior infection and/or procedure, PADIT and UPCM scores; a P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. We analysed 14 patients (10 males, 4 females, mean age ± SD: 72 ± 13): one case (4%) affected by pocket erosion, seven cases (50%) affected by both pocket site and lead infection (with associated bacteraemia in one subject), and one case (4%) due to lead-related infective endocarditis. Of these, five (36%) underwent device replacement, while nine (64%) to extraction or pocket/lead revision. Nine (64%) patients had positive culture examinations (Figure 1). The correlation method gave a statistically significant association between Gram- infection and prior sepsis (r 0.63; P-value 0.02). We considered the number of procedures on the same pocket and/or CIED previous infections as markers of frailty and increased infectious risk. As expected, the PADIT score, but not UPCM, significantly correlated with the number of previous procedures (r 0.70; P-value 0.006). Indeed, both scores had a similar infectious risk prediction. Conclusions In our analysis, predictive PADIT score of infectious risk performed better than UPCM, while both proved their reliability in identifying high-risk patients. The absence of correlation between UPCM score and infective agents is not conclusive, but probably due to the small sample size. Interestingly, growing rate of device reinfection correlates with the risk of Gram- bacterial infection. Thus, the integration of the microbiological data in the current prediction models could significantly increase their performance.

Influence of the type of pathogen on the clinical course of infectious complications related to cardiac implantable electronic devices

The specific role of the various pathogens causing cardiac implantable electronic devices-(CIEDs)-related infections requires further understanding. The data of 1241 patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction because of lead-related infective endocarditis (LRIE-773 patients) and pocket infection (PI-468 patients) in two high-volume centers were analyzed. Clinical course and long-term prognosis according to the pathogen were assessed. Blood and generator pocket cultures were most often positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA: 22.19% and 18.13% respectively), methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus epidermidis (MSSE: 17.39% and 15.63%) and other staphylococci (11.59% and 6.46%). The worst long-term prognosis both in LRIE and PI subgroup was in patients with infection caused by Gram-positive microorganisms, other than staphylococci. The most common pathogens causing CIED infection are MSSA and MSSE, however, the role of other Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative organisms is also important. Comparable, high mortality in patients with LRIE and PI requires further studies.

Lead-Related Infective Endocarditis in Latvia: A Single Centre Experience.

Background and Objectives: Over the last five decades cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) have become established as the mainstay for the treatment of permanent bradycardias, chronic heart failure and dangerous heart rhythm disturbances. These devices improve survival and quality of life in many patients. However, infections associated with CIED implantation, particularly lead-related infective endocarditis (LRIE), can offset all benefits and make more harm than good for the patient. To date, there are no other studies in Latvia, addressing patients with lead-related infective endocarditis. The objective of this study was to identify the most common pathogens associated with LRIE and their antimicrobial resistance and to identify possible risk factors of patients who present with LRIE. Materials and Methods: The study was performed retrospectively at Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital (PSCUH). The study included patients who were referred to PSCUH due to LRIE for lead extraction. Patients were identified from procedural journals. Information about isolated microorganisms, patient comorbidities and visual diagnostics data was taken from patient records. Results: Forty-nine patients with CIED related infective endocarditis were included in the study, 34 (69.4%) were male, median age of all patients was 65.0 (50.5–73.0) years, median hospital stay was 15.5 (22.0–30.5) days. Successful and complete lead extraction was achieved in all patients. Thirty-two (65.3%) had received antibiotics prior to blood sample. Only in 31 (63.3%) positive culture results were seen. The most common isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (23.5%) and coagulase negative staphylococci (23.5%). Other bacteria were isolated considerably less often. The atrial lead was most common location for lead vegetations, seen in 50.0% of cases. Five (10.2%) patients have died due to the disease. Conclusions: Lead-related infective endocarditis is a major complication of cardiac implantable electronic devices with considerable morbidity and mortality, which in our study was as high as 10.2%.

Lead externalization - a potential source of lead-related infective endocarditis?

Lead externalization - a potential source of lead-related infective endocarditis?

Sténose tricuspide fonctionnelle sévère occasionnée par une importante végétation suite à une endocardite sur sonde de pacemaker

Lead-related infective endocarditis with negative hemocultures constitutes a severe condition potentially associated with a pejorative prognosis. It may induce a functional tricuspid stenosis caused by an important obstructive vegetation. We report the case of an 82 year-old woman in whom the lead-related endocarditis produced massive vegetation causing a severe functional tricuspid stenosis. We describe the medical history, diagnosis and treatment.

Infectious complications in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: risk factors, prevention, and prognosis.

INTRODUCTION Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections still constitute asignificant challenge. Theknowledge of risk factors for CIED infections is crucial for preventing infections and reducing mortality rates. OBJECTIVES Theaim of this study was to assess therisk factors and long-term survival of patients with CIED infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed theclinical data of 1837 patients (including 750 [40.9%] patients with CIED infections), who underwent transvenous lead extraction ata single institution between 2006 and2015. We compared theclinical and procedure-related factors for all types of CIED infections: isolated pocket infection (IPI), isolated lead-related infective endocarditis (ILRIE), and lead-related infective endocarditis with coexisting pocket infection(LRIE + PI). We also analyzed long-term survival rates. RESULTS Thedevelopment of IPI and LRIE + PI depended mainly on age, male sex, number of leads, presence of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-‑D), and thenumber of previous procedures. Thefactors that determined ILRIE included chronic kidney disease (CKD), ICD/CRT-D, lead loops, and intracardiac lead abrasion. Chronic anticoagulation and antiplatelet treatment protected against thedevelopment of infection. Long-term survival was significantly related to age, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, CKD, malignancy, and chronic atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS Thedevelopment of all types of CIED infection was associated mainly with procedure-related factors, while long-‑term mortality was dependent on clinical factors. Thedissimilarity of factors affecting thedevelopment of IPI and ILRIE confirms that there are 2 variants of CIED infection. Theprotective effects of chronic anticoagulation and antiplatelet treatment should prompt us to consider such therapy in theprevention of CIED infection.

Temporary synchronous ventricular pacing as a bridge therapy after CRT-D removal due to lead-related infective endocarditis

Temporary synchronous ventricular pacing as a bridge therapy after CRT-D removal due to lead-related infective endocarditis

Lead-related infective endocarditis: Factors influencing early and long-term survival in patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction

Lead-related infective endocarditis (LRIE) is a serious infectious disease with uncertain prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors that influence survival in patients with LRIE undergoing transvenous lead extraction (TLE). Clinical data obtained from 500 consecutive patients with LRIE undergoing TLE in the reference center in the years 2006 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. We evaluated the effect of demographic, clinical, and procedure-related factors on 30-day and long-term survival (mean 3-year follow-up). Analysis of 30-day survival after TLE revealed 19 deaths (3.8%), with long-term mortality (mean 3-year follow-up) of 29.3% (146 deaths). Multivariate analysis showed unfavorable effects of age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.056, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.030-1.082); decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (HR 0.687, 95% CI 0.545-0.866); renal failure (HR 3.099, 95% CI 1.865-5.150); and presence of vegetation fragments remaining after TLE (HR 1.384, 95% CI 1.089-1.760). Log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated statistically worse prognosis in patients with large vegetations (>2 cm) and with vegetation remnants. Better prognosis was associated with LRIE coexisting with generator pocket infection. Long-term mortality in LRIE patients is still high. Factors that influence negatively on prognosis include large cardiac vegetations and their remnants after TLE. Such vegetations develop most frequently in patients with decreased left ventricular ejection fraction and renal failure. Probably, early detection of LRIE would tend to limit the formation of large vegetations that invade the adjacent cardiac structures.

Lead-related infective endocarditis: factors influencing the formation of large vegetations.

The presence of intracardiac lead vegetations (ILV) is one of the important criteria for diagnosis of lead-related infective endocarditis (LRIE). The objective of the present study was to evaluate risk factors of ILV and their impact on vegetation size. Clinical data of 500 patients with LRIE undergoing transvenous lead extraction in 2006-15 were retrospectively analysed. The study population consisted of 352 patients with the presence of vegetations (giant, >3 cm; large, 2.0-2.9 cm; moderate-sized, 1.0-1.9 cm; and small, <1 cm) and 148 patients without ILV. We identified risk factors for vegetation occurrence and ILV size. Intracardiac lead vegetations were found more frequently in younger patients (P < 0.05), slightly more often in women (P = 0.084), and less commonly in patients with atrial fibrillation (P < 0.05). Intracardiac lead vegetation occurred significantly more frequently in patients with intracardiac lead abrasion (OR 2.373; 95% CI [1.497-3.765]; P < 0.001) and much less frequently in the concomitant presence of pocket infection (PI) (OR 0.127; 95% CI [0.074-0.218]; P < 0.00). Large vegetations were significantly more common in patients with renal failure (RF) (P < 0.001), heart failure (P < 0.001), implantable cardioverter defibrillator (P < 0.05), and loops of the leads (P < 0.001). Intracardiac lead abrasion is one of the most common factors influencing the occurrence of ILV. Metabolic disorders in patients with RF, heart failure, defibrillation leads, and loops of the leads were found to contribute to the formation of large vegetations. In LRIE patients, ILVs were less frequently detected in the presence of concomitant PI, indicating a different mechanism of LRIE development in patients with and without vegetations.

136-53: Lead related infective endocarditis- the assessment of the long-term prognosis after transvenous leads extraction

136-53: Lead related infective endocarditis- the assessment of the long-term prognosis after transvenous leads extraction

Cardiac device infections: definition, classification, differential diagnosis, and management.

Cardiac device infections (CDIs) continue to be a serious clinical problem, with varying terminology and different classifications constituting one of the major diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in routine clinical practice. The problem invariably arises during an attempt to estimate the extent of the infection, which in consequence determines the choice of treatment strategy (duration of antibiotic therapy). The most serious form of CDI is lead-related infective endocarditis (LRIE). There are no clearly established diagnostic criteria for this disease; the available Duke University criteria are difficult to apply in patients with a suspicion of LRIE because of low sensitivity. As the treatment of LRIE is expensive and troublesome, there is a tendency to underdiagnose this condition and seek any intermediary forms between local pocket infection and definite LRIE. The present review includes suggestions for the systematization of CDIs with a clear definition of LRIE as a separate and most severe entity among CDIs.

Leads dislodged into the pulmonary vascular bed in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

IntroductionSpontaneous lead dislodgement into the pulmonary circulation is a rare complication of permanent pacing with unproven harmfulness and an indication of controversial class for transvenous lead extraction (TLE).AimTo assess TLE safety in patients with leads dislodged into the pulmonary artery.Material and methodsA retrospective analysis of a 9-year-old database of transvenous lead extraction procedures comprising 1767 TLEs was carried out, including a group of 19 (1.1%) patients with leads dislodged into the pulmonary artery (LDPA).ResultsUnder univariate analysis the factors that increased the likelihood of the presence of an electrode in the pulmonary artery were mean lead dwelling time (increase of risk by 9% per year), total number of leads in the heart before TLE (increase of risk by 66% for one lead) and the number of abandoned leads (increase of risk by 119%). The presence of LDPA was associated with frequent occurrence of intracardiac lead abrasion (increase by 316%) and isolated lead-related infective endocarditis (LRIE) (increase by 500%). There were no statistically significant differences in clinical (p = 0.3), procedural (p = 0.94) or radiological (p = 0.31) success rates in compared (LDPA and non-LDPA) groups. Long-term mortality after TLE was comparable in both groups.ConclusionsAs the effectiveness and safety of TLE in patients with LDPA are comparable to those in standard TLE procedures, in our opinion, such patients should be considered TLE candidates.

Chronic transvenous pacemaker/implantable cardioverter defibrillator leads implantation induced pathological changes

Widely pacemaker/implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation is also related to an increasing need for transvenous lead extraction. Understanding the location and extent of pathological changes, including adhesions and fibrous tissue formation along the course of chronic pacemaker/ICD leads, are essential for operators performing lead extraction operations in order to reduce the potential life threatening complications. Three parts are included in the research, pathological examination on 83 extracted pacemaker/ICD leads using excimer laser technique from March 2008 to March 2011, autopsy examination of one died patient during lead extraction for lead-related infective endocarditis, and anatomical analysis on pacemaker/ICD leads from 10 patients died of other non-cardiac causes. Extensive encapsulated fibrous tissue around the leads and extensive adhesion/fibrosis along the course of the leads from venous entry site to the lead/myocardial interface could be detected on transvenous pacemaker/ICD leads. Since the tissue at the junction between superior vena cava (SVC) and right atrium (RA) is very thin, free of pericardium, thus, this is a common place for extensive adhesion/fibrosis and myocardial perforation/tear during lead extraction, which accounted for one death during extraction in our cohort. Extensive adhesion and fibrosis were also observed at the tricuspid valve and subvalvular structures. Leads implanted to the right ventricular apex were close to the epicardial surface and prone to perforation through myocardium. It is common to observe thrombus on the leads or at the interface between leads and myocardial tissue, especially at right atrial appendage (RAA) at the site of lead insertion. Extensive adhesions and fibrosis can be commonly seen along the course of pacemaker/ICD leads, and at SVC to RA junction, the tricuspid valve/subvalvular structures, and RA/RV lead interface. The tissue at SVC to RA junction is very thin, making it vulnerable for myocardial perforation/tear during lead extraction. Thrombus is commonly seen along the leads or at the lead-tissue interface.