Imaging agents ID infections from implanted cardiac devices
New findings published in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging demonstrate how novel imaging tracers can identify infections from implanted cardiac devices (ICDs) before they must be removed, according to an April 24 article by Cardiovascular Business.
W. Robert Taylor, MD, PhD, of Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and colleagues found that maltodextrin imaging agents can distinguish between bacterial infections and inflamed areas brought on by ICDs such as pacemakers or defibrillators.
The authors explained that their research strategy has the potential to positively impact morbidity and mortality rates as well as healthcare costs associated with infections caused by ICDs.
The researchers inserted stainless steel mock ICDs into rats and then four days later either induced a mild infection, noninfectious inflammation or nothing at all. Two days later, the rats were injected with tracers and put through imaging tests to allow reachers to pin point the location of the infection.
"A maltohexaose fluorescent dye probe showed an intensity ratio of 1.54 in infected rats versus 1.26 and 1.20 in the control and inflammatory groups, respectively," according to CVB. "This difference persisted for 24 hours and was enough to clearly distinguish the infected rats from the others, the authors noted."
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A recent graduate from Dominican University (IL) with a bachelor’s in journalism, Melissa joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering all aspects of health imaging. She’s a fan of singing and playing guitar, elephants, a good cup of tea, and her golden retriever Cooper.