Since Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIED) – pacemakers, defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization devices are powered by lithium batteries, with potential to explode during incineration and cause possible harm to crematorium personnel and the incinerator, the Society recommends the following precautions:
- Explant the pulse generator after pronouncement of death at the patient’s hospital bed prior to bagging, after thorough discussion with the family of the potential danger, should they decide on cremating the remains of their deceased
- The physician who attended the code is requested to do the explantation by the following process:
- Using a scalpel, make an incision over the skin and subcutaneous tissue overlying the device, usually found at the left or right infraclavicular region, or less commonly in the abdominal This will expose the capsule enclosing the device.
- Nick and open wide the capsule until it is possible to bring out the
- With a scalpel or scissors, detach the device by cutting though the
- Cover incision with
- Immerse the device in a sealed container containing virocidal
- Dispose the device as per Hospital’s Infection Control Committee and Covid 19-Related Waste/Medical Device Disposal Committee
- Standard precaution for scalpel or sharps-related injury is to be
- Reusing of devices from COVID-infected patients or any other infection is NOT
- The above precaution does not apply to Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (Leadless pacemaker) and implantable cardiac
