Prophylactic antibiotic for pacemaker surgery: what is optimal duration?

Background: Pacemaker infections occur worldwide. There is no report of any research on prophylactic antibiotic usage for Pacemaker Surgery in Nigeria. There is also no agreement on duration of prophylactic antibiotics for pacemaker surgery. Aims and Objectives: We sought to determine the efficacy of Prophylactic Ceftriaxone in Pacemaker Surgery using the shortand long regimen. Methodology: Our team did a series of transvenous pacemaker insertions over a 7-year period. Some of the patients were given prophylactic ceftriaxone for 3 days while others were given for seven days. Aseptic techniques were strictly adopted. They were followed up for varying periods looking out for possible pacemaker related infections. Results: Out of the 100 pacemakers inserted, infection occurred in 3 patients. One of them, a bed-ridden patient developed severe pocket infection necessitating explantation and replacement 3 weeks later. Conclusions: We noted with satisfaction that short regime of prophylactic parentral ceftriaxone is effective in preventing pacemaker infection and there is no need for the long regimen. Niger Med J. Vol. 50, No. 1, Jan. – March, 2009: 9 – 11.Key words: Prophylactic Ceftriaxone, Pacemaker Surger