Resterilized Cardiac Implantable Devices Appear to Be Safe

Permanent pacemakers (PPMs) and implantable cardioverter–defibrillators (ICDs) are often explanted at the time of burial or cremation and, not uncommonly, have many years of battery life remaining. While reusing these devices in highly developed countries is currently implausible, reuse in less-developed counties has been occurring for decades. Small studies have shown that this practice is probably safe. Researchers have now published the largest report of this practice, relying on registry data on 1051 patients who were implanted with resterilized devices — 85% were PPMs and 15% were ICDs — through a program run by the Montreal Heart Institute.

Participating countries were Mexico, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Honduras. The patients w…