For the first time in Israel: Implantation of pacemakers in antibacterial envelopes

Several implants of Cardiac Implantable Devices (CIEDs) have recently been performed at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera using the TYRX antibacterial envelope. Dr. Mark Kazatsker, Director of the Electrophysiology Service at the medical center's Heart Institute, said, "TYRX helps stabilize the CIED, while releasing very low doses of two types of antibiotics that help prevent development of infections. The optimal effect of the antibiotics occurs within two hours of the time of implantation and lasts for one week."

As already mentioned, the innovative development reduces infection in patients with CIEDs such as pacemakers and defibrillators. It does this through an antibacterial "envelope" that contains two types of antibiotics and is made of absorbable fibers such as those in sutures used in the operating room that are absorbed by the body in about nine weeks without side effects.

Clinical data shows that 40% of patients who require implantation of CIEDs are deemed to be at high risk of infections for a variety of reasons, including background diseases such as dialysis, high blood pressure, diabetes, congestive heart failure, treatment with various medications, and illness with fever 24 hours prior to surgery. Another risk factor is second opening of the device pocket within a short period after the implantation to change the device, repair an electrode or resolve bleeding.

Six different clinical studies have demonstrated a 70-100% decrease in the rate of infection after implantation of CIEDs in conjunction with TYRX in high-risk patients. Prof. Avaham Shotan, Director of the Heart Institute at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, said, "By using TYRX, high-risk patients will be able to undergo implantation of pacemakers or defibrillators without worrying that they will develop infections after surgery."