Recurring infection?

Just found out that it's time for my PM battery to be changed again. This will be my 3rd device. I had a very serious infection after the last battery was implanted. The dermabond that had been used to seal my incision didn't hold. My incision started coming back open. It began on a Thursday night. After consulting with my reg doc, and she talked to the cardiologist, they decided that my check up on Monday was soon enough. Monday came, and I wound up back in the cardiac lab. They had to open me back up, debride the implant site, and sent me home with a picc line and vancomyacin for 6weeks. I have since moved, and changed doctors. My cardiologist now says that I have a better than 50% chance of reinfection. Has anybody had to deal with anything like this? Any suggestions?

1 Comments

infection

by Tracey_E - 2013-01-14 09:01:59

I haven't dealt with that but we've had others that have, hopefully they will chime in. I don't think it's anywhere near as high as 50% but once we get an infection, yes, the odds of getting one again go up. Not getting the new battery isn't an option so the only thing left is to take every available precaution and choose your facility carefully. Have you consulted with an infectious disease specialist? They may have some suggestions for pre and post treatment with antibiotics. Also, they make an antibiotic pocket that the pm can be placed in when it's implanted. http://www.tyrx.com/

good luck to you

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