Pb. Van Wachem et al., Animal study on surface-modified defibrillator systems: Indications for enhanced infection resistance, J BIOMED MR, 58(4), 2001, pp. 384-392
One of the most important problems with ICD systems is infection. The aim o
f this study was an in vivo evaluation of the efficacy of defibrillator sys
tems in terms of infection resistance. The polyurethane leads were coupled
with heparin and loaded with the antibiotic gentamicin, while the PGs were
modified to release gentamicin, Group I was comprised of 10 pigs implanted
with either a standard or a modified system for 2 weeks; group 11 was impla
nted during 4 weeks. The lead was inserted into the heart wall via the jugu
lar vein. The other end was subcutaneously tunneled to the armpit where the
PG was positioned. A cocktail of Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis was
injected at the site of the PG. Evaluation was performed macroscopically,
by taking bacterial swabs during explantation and by microscopic processing
. The results showed that 3 out of 5 modified defibrillator-systems in grou
p I and 1-2 out of 5 in group II were judged as noninfected, whereas all st
andard systems were infected. Infection rates of the remaining modified def
ibrillators showed variances, as found with the standards, from slight to m
oderate to high, to even high/severe in group 11 (Ix standard and Ix modifi
ed), With the modified systems, this may he related to production of humora
l factors by an intensified early tissue reaction, as indicated by a swelli
ng at day 6 at the site of the PG, When infected, whether or not modified,
usually only Staphylococcus aureus was present. Spreading of infection seem
ed to occur by inoculation via blood, for example, based on the observation
that group II in general showed an increase in infected fibrotic overgrowt
h in the heart, while infectious problems were low in the jugular vein. It
is concluded that the modification at short term shows enhanced infection r
esistance. An increased infection rate already at 4 weeks, however, indicat
es that the modification may not hold in the long run. Special attention is
needed concerning the more intense early tissue reaction, (C) 2001 John Wi
ley & Sons. Inc.