Aging and cardiac implantable electronic device complications: is the procedure safe in older patients?

Abstract

Background: In this study, we investigated whether there is a higher incidence of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) procedures related complications in older (≥ 75 years) than in younger (< 75 years) patients.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients who had undergone CIED procedures (de novo implantation, system upgrade, generator substitution, pocket revision or lead replacement) at two heart centers in Turkey between January 2011 and May 2023. The primary composite endpoint included clinically significant hematoma (CSH), pericardial effusion or tamponade, pneumothorax, and infection related to the device system. Secondary outcomes included each component of the composite end point.

Results: The overall sample included 1923 patients (1419 < 75 years and 504 aged ≥ 75 years). There was no difference between the groups in terms of cumulative events defined as primary outcome (3.5% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.393). Infection related to device system was significantly higher in the ≥ 75 age group (1.8% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.034). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of clinically significant hematoma and pneumothorax (0.7% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.451, 1.4% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.477, respectively). In multivariate model analysis, no association was found between age ≥ 75 years and infection related to the device system.

Conclusion: Infection rates were relatively higher in the patient group aged ≥ 75 years. This patient group should be evaluated more carefully in terms of infection development before and after the procedure.