Explanted Re-Sterilized ICDs are Safe, Practical for Patient Use
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) removed for upgrades or infection may be reused safely in other patients, according to research being presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2010, held in Chicago.
Â
Researchers sent explanted ICDs with 70 percent or more battery life to India, where the devices were carefully cleaned and re-sterilized. They were re-implanted in indigent patients who were at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias but couldnt afford the devices.
Â
Thirty-one patients received explanted, re-sterilized ICDs for standard ICD indications. During an average follow-up of two years and two months, there were no infections and 42 percent of the patients got appropriate life-prolonging shocks from their ICDs. Five of 31 (16 percent) patients got a second re-sterilized ICD after almost three years because of battery depletion.
Â
If additional studies prove this to be a safe strategy, there could be important socioeconomic implications, researchers said.
Â
Â
Â
The Sterile Processing Conference Survival Guide: How to Make the Most of Your Next Event
March 25th 2025From expert speakers to cutting-edge tools, sterile processing conferences, like the 2025 HSPA Annual Conference and the SoCal SPA's Spring Conference, offer unmatched opportunities to grow your skills, expand your network, and strengthen your department's infection prevention game.
Redefining Material Compatibility in Sterilization: Insights From AAMI TIR17:2024
March 24th 2025AAMI TIR17:2024 provides updated, evidence-based guidance on material compatibility with sterilization modalities. It offers essential insights for medical device design and ensures safety without compromising functionality.
