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.