Cardiac device infections (CDI), especially pocket infections, are difficult to be diagnosed. Device pocket infections are not associated with elevated white blood cell count. CRP is only assoziated with a low sensitivity. The diagnosis of a local pocket infection is challenging and relies primarily on the clinical presentation. The prospective DIRT study identified procalcitonin (PCT) among 14 biomarkers as the most promising biomarker to aid the diagnosis of pocket infection. The study aims to validate the proposed PCT cut-off value of 0.05 ng/ml for the diagnosis of pocket infection
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
diagnostic value of PCT
Timeframe: pre-intervention/procedure/surgery. i.e. at the time of CIED explantation. Measurement of PCT as an biomarker revealing the acute infection (like a sepsis marker)