Bundled preparation of skin antisepsis decreases the risk of cardiac implantable electronic device-related infection.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of bundled skin antiseptic preparation to prevent cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections.

METHODS AND RESULTS: From January 2010 to November 2013, 665 consecutive patients were divided into two groups according to the strategy of skin preparation. In Period 1 (January 2010 to June 2012), 395 patients received the standard skin antiseptic preparation. In Period 2 (July 2012 to November 2013), 270 patients received a triple-step skin antiseptic preparation, 'bundled skin antiseptic preparation', consisting of applying 75% alcohol over anterior chest on the night before the index day, povidone-iodine 10 min before operation, and the standard skin antiseptic preparation before incision. During follow-up, the occurrence of CIED infection was recorded. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determinate the risk factors of CIED infection. During a mean follow-up of 26.9 ± 16.2 months, 20 episodes of CIED infection developed in 19 patients (2.9%), and the incidence of minor and major infection episodes was 2.2% and 0.8%, respectively. Patients with the bundled skin antiseptic preparation had a significantly lower incidence of CIED infection, compared with patients with the standard preparation (0.7 vs. 4.3%, P = 0.007). In multivariate analysis, pocket haematoma (P = 0.020), atrial fibrillation (P = 0.033), and complex procedures (P = 0.047) were independent predictors for CIED infection. In contrast, the bundled skin antiseptic preparation was a significant predictor against CIED infection (P = 0.014).

CONCLUSION: Pocket haematoma was the most important risk factor for CIED infection. The bundled skin antiseptic preparation strategy significantly reduced the risk of minor CIED infection.