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Combined use of S-ICD and absorbable antibacterial envelopes: a proof-of-concept study
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  • Alessio Gasperetti,
  • Marco Schiavone,
  • Matteo Ziacchi,
  • Simone Zanchi,
  • Lombardi Leonida,
  • Maurizio Viecca,
  • Carmelo La Greca,
  • Carlo Lavalle,
  • Mauro Biffi,
  • Giovanni Forleo
Alessio Gasperetti
Luigi Sacco University Hospital
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Marco Schiavone
Luigi Sacco University Hospital

Corresponding Author:marco.schiavone11@gmail.com

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Matteo Ziacchi
Ospedale S.Orsola-Malpighi
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Simone Zanchi
Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero
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Lombardi Leonida
Luigi Sacco University Hospital
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Maurizio Viecca
Luigi Sacco University Hospital
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Carmelo La Greca
Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero
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Carlo Lavalle
Umberto I Policlinico di Roma
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Mauro Biffi
Universita degli Studi di Bologna Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Orsola-Malpighi
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Giovanni Forleo
Luigi Sacco University Hospital
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Abstract

Absorbable antibacterial envelopes (AAEs) are currently recommended in patients undergoing a transvenous ICD implantation in cases at high-risk of infection, who are indeed now preferably implanted with a subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD), whenever possible. Nevertheless, experiences using a combined approach with S-ICD and AAE have not been reported, therefore, aim of our study was to evaluate this strategy in patients at very high-risk of infection. Sixteen patients were implanted with the S-ICD+AAE using our combined approach, restricted to patients who would fit our decisional flow algorithm. Despite a very high-risk, only a single pocket infection was observed over the entire follow-up that was managed conservatively and solved with antibiotic therapy. The preliminary data of this proof-of-concept study show how a combined deployment of AAE and S-ICD in selected patients at very high-risk of infection is safe, feasible and may offer a true clinical benefit in specific clinical settings.