Is a Secretive Pacemaker Infection Causing Your Illness?

In the realm of cardiac care, the importance of regular check-ups for pacemaker patients cannot be overstated. Annual visits to your doctor are essential, and additional appointments should be scheduled if any issues arise or if you notice anything unusual regarding your pacemaker.

A significant breakthrough in the field has been the development of a new antibiotic envelope, which has demonstrated a reduction in infection risk by approximately half during pacemaker or implantable defibrillator-change operations. This advancement is a welcome development in the fight against pacemaker infections.

However, it's crucial to acknowledge that pacemaker infections are more likely to occur post-surgery. Symptoms of such infections may include fever, chills, localized redness, inflammation, nausea, pain at the implant site, drainage from a sore near the implant site, and erosion of the pacemaker through the skin. If left untreated, more severe symptoms may appear, such as swelling, weight loss, and blood in urine.

Researchers are actively working on new methods to reduce infection risk after pacemaker implantation. For instance, the group at Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen, led by PD Dr. Dr. Bettina Hohberger, is focusing on alternative injectable gels. Meanwhile, clinicians like Dr. med. Tim Seidler and Prof. Dr. Samuel Sossalla at the Kerckhoff Clinic are advancing innovations such as pulsed field ablation techniques. While no direct mention of infection risk reduction after pacemaker implantation was explicitly found in public records from 2025, these developments promise a brighter future for pacemaker patients.

It's essential to note that certain groups of patients are at a higher risk for infection. These include individuals with kidney disease, heart failure due to advanced heart disease, and those who undergo repeated pacemaker surgeries at a young age.

Regular checks on the pacemaker site are also crucial for early detection of any changes. If you notice anything unusual, promptly contact your doctor.

Interestingly, most pacemakers have leads attached to the heart, but some are leadless. The device called a leadless pacemaker is currently available only for patients with specific medical conditions and a slow heart rate (bradycardia).

Most infections start at the incision site or where the leads connect to the heart. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the lungs and brain via the bloodstream. Internal infection can spread unnoticed, typically from various types of staph bacteria.

Pacemaker-related infections are a type of endocarditis that can affect the lining of the heart valves. The only treatment option for a pacemaker-related infection is removal and replacement surgery. During this procedure, the physician will remove all leads and infected tissue, and prescribe a regimen of antibiotics.

Infection related to the leads is rare, but possible. Implanted pacemakers normalize heartbeat with a steady stream of electric impulses. With the ongoing research and advancements, the future of pacemaker care looks promising, ensuring a safer and healthier life for those who rely on these devices.