Rates of and factors associated with infection in 200 909 Medicare implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implants: results from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry

The rate of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) infections has been increasing faster than that of implantation. We sought to determine the rate and predictors of ICD infection in a large cohort of Medicare patients. Cases submitted to the ICD Registry from 2006 to 2009 were matched to Medicare fee-for-service claims data using indirect patient identifiers. ICD infections occurring within 6 months of hospital discharge after implantation were identified by ICD-9 codes. Logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with risk of ICD infection. Of 200 909 implants, 3390 patients (1.7%) developed an ICD infection. The infection rate was 1.4%, 1.5%, and 2.0% for single, dual, and biventricular ICDs, respectively (P