Pseudomonas monteilii bacteremia and sepsis following insertable cardiac monitor implantation: a case report

Background: Insertable cardiac monitor implantation is a simple and safe procedure commonly performed in patients with embolic stroke with undetermined source. Routine periprocedural antibiotic use is not recommended, because infection rate is very low, although some local infection or gram-positive bacteremia have been reported. We report a case of Pseudomonas monteilii sepsis immediately after insertable cardiac monitor implantation.

Case presentation: A 55-year-old Korean male with embolic stroke of undetermined source presented with gram-negative sepsis immediately after implantable cardiac monitor implantation as a first reported complication after the procedure. Pseudomonas monteilii was identified in the blood culture, and no other infection source was seen. He was treated with intravenous antibiotics without removing the device.

Conclusions: Prompt diagnosis and adequate management is required in such a patient with sepsis post-insertable cardiac monitor implantation procedure. It can be managed with adequate antibiotic treatment without device removal if there is no sign of inflammation at the insertion site. Further reports or studies should be investigated to reinforce this finding.

Learning objectives: The infection rate after insertable cardiac monitor insertion is extremely low; however, sepsis may occur without pocket infections. Physicians should be aware of signs of systemic infection, particularly when the procedure is performed outside the catheterization room. Sepsis after insertable cardiac monitor implantation can be managed with adequate antibiotic treatment without device removal if there is no sign of inflammation at the insertion site.