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.

The use of pacemakers and CIEDs is becoming more and 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. Data have shown that these kinds of gaps and delays in guideline-recommended care are all too common. Improved awareness and timely diagnosis are essential to help save lives. Listen to two speakers Dr. Jim Cheung and Ms. Ann M. Spalding as they review a case and have a conversation on the importance of timely CIED infection identification, and management.