The use of pacemakers and cardiac implantable electronic devices or CIEDs is becoming more common. While these devices extend and improve people’s lives with minimal problems in most cases, for patients who experience infections related to their devices, gaps and delays in guideline-recommended care can lead to preventable illness, disability and death. Dr. Miguel Leal, Associate Professor in Electrophysiology at Emory Health Care, and Ms. Trudie Lobban, the founder of the Arrhythmia Alliance, the AF Association and STARS, discuss the value of shared decision-making between patient and healthcare professionals when it comes to preventing and managing device infections.
This podcast is part of AHA’s CIED Infection Initiative. The goal of this initiative is to address the gaps in awareness, detection, and appropriate treatment of cardiovascular implantable electronic device infection. For the latest information about upcoming CIED events, please visit: heart.org/treat2beatciedinfection
Learn more about this initiative.