Pocket Haematoma Prevention in Patients Who Required Implantation/Replacement of a Pacemaker or Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator. The PHP Study.

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of fibrin sealant (Tissucol-Baxter) in preventing pocket haematoma and subsequent complications in patients undergoing pacemaker or ICD implantation/replacement which cannot discontinue dual antiplatelet therapy (i.e. ASA and clopidogrel, ASA and prasugrel) or anticoagulant therapy (i.e. warfarin, heparin, low molecular weight heparin).

Fibrin-based sealant is available for local haemostasis. A recent study (Milic DJ et al, 2005 Europace, 7: 374-379) has shown the efficacy of the fibrin sealant in prevention of pacemaker pocket haematoma in 40 patients undergoing pacemaker implantation who are receiving anticoagulant treatment.

Patients with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) are prone to a high risk of bleeding during surgical procedures. Thus, the routine use is the discontinuation of DAT al least 4-7 days before the intervention. This practice may result in a high risk of thrombotic events in patients with coronary stenting.

Recently, in our Center we started the use of a fibrin sealant for local haemostasis (Tissucol Baxter), and the investigators observed a reduction in the incidence of pocket haematoma complication, the need of vacuum drainage system, and the reduction of hospital stay.

Purpose of the study. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of a fibrin sealant (Tissucol-Baxter) in prevention pocket haematoma and subsequent complications in patients who required implantation/replacement of a pacemaker or ICD wich cannot discontinue dual antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy.

Target. The primary endpoint is to test the impact of pocket haematoma in patients treated with tissucol compared to a conventional treatment with vacuum drainage system without dual antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy discontinuation.

The secondary endpoint is to compare the length of hospitalization between the two groups.

Type of study. Prospective, randomized, single center, open label.

Materials and methods. Will be consecutively enrolled approximately 100 patients.

Inclusion criteria: patients over the age of eighteen who require an initial implantation or replacement of a device (pacemaker, biventricular pacemaker, ICD) treated with:

* dual antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel or prasugrel or ticlopidine, and acetylsalicylic acid) or
* anticoagulants (warfarin or heparin or low molecular weight heparin). Patients Do not discontinue the antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy.

According to a randomization list, patients will be assigned to tissucol treatment or vacuum drainage system:

* 50 patients: treated with local application of tissucol in the pocket of pacemaker/ICD;
* 50 patients: treated with vacuum drainage system.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients who require an initial implantation or replacement of a device (pacemaker, biventricular pacemaker, implantable cardiac defibrillator) treated with:

  * Dual antiplatelet therapy (i.e. ASA and clopidogrel, ASA and prasugrel) or
  * Anticoagulant therapy (warfarin, heparin, LMWH).