gms | German Medical Science

The use of implantable medical devices, such as cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators, prosthetic heart valves, ventricular assist devices, vascular prostheses, orthopedical prostheses, dental and cochlear implants has developed towards a routine treatment procedure in medicine, which is reflected in the growing numbers of implants. Infections of implantable devices however, are serious and sometimes life-threatening for the patient, and very often need explantation. Despite implementing different prophylactic strategies to avoid contamination of the device, infections do occur.

Therapy and eradication of these implant infections are difficult and protracted and cause high additional costs. Based on statistical data it is believed, that for Germany up to 1 billion € in additional costs (therapy, extended hospital stay etc.) per year may be caused mainly by infections of implantable medical devices. This needs to be further evaluated. In consideration of the patient’s welfare and the related economic consequences, successful strategies must be developed to reduce the incidence of these infections.