Infections Associated with Resterilized Pacemakers and Defibrillator

This multinational prospective study examined infection rates associated with reused and resterilized cardiac implantable electronic devices in underserved countries. A total of 1051 patients from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Honduras received reused devices and were matched with 3153 Canadian patients who received new ones. At 2-year follow-up, infection rates were 2.0% for reused devices and 1.2% for new devices (hazard ratio, 1.66; 95% CI, 0.97–2.83; P=0.06), with no device-related deaths reported. The findings suggest resterilized pacemakers and defibrillators can be used safely in resource-limited settings under rigorous reprocessing protocols.

This multinational prospective study examined infection rates associated with reused and resterilized cardiac implantable electronic devices in underserved countries. A total of 1051 patients from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Honduras received reused devices and were matched with 3153 Canadian patients who received new ones. At 2-year follow-up, infection rates were 2.0% for reused devices and 1.2% for new devices (hazard ratio, 1.66; 95% CI, 0.97–2.83; P=0.06), with no device-related deaths reported. The findings suggest resterilized pacemakers and defibrillators can be used safely in resource-limited settings under rigorous reprocessing protocols.