New generation artificial heart implanted in Duke patient is first of its kind in US.

Medicare patients whose implantable heart devices became infected were less likely to die from the complication if they had the leads removed compared to patients who only received antibiotics, according to the largest study on the topic, led by the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI). The study showed that just 18% of patients with device-related infections underwent surgeries to have their pacemakers or defibrillators removed, even though removal is recommended by all leading medical society treatment guidelines. The risk of death is 43% lower if lead removal guidelines are followed, the study authors reported.