Methods
This study protocol was approved by the Mayo Clinic IRB. A retrospective
review of all patients who underwent WD implant from July 2004 through
December 2018 was conducted. Patients had Intra-procedural
trans-esophageal echocardiogram (TEE), 6 month, and 1 year TEE (with in
person visits). If a device leak was noted (> 5mm), a 6
month return TEE was performed. After one year post-implant, patients
were followed clinically.
From this cohort of patients, we performed detailed medical chart review
to identify medical co-morbidities, indication for implantation,
clinical and laboratory evidence of WD infection, BSI, and mortality
data. A BSI was defined by at least one positive blood culture
correlating to a clinical syndrome of infection. Valvular and WD-related
endocarditis was defined by modified Duke Criteria[7].
Categorical variables are reported as percentages, and continuous
variables are reported as mean +/- standard deviation.