TYRX, a provider of implantable cardiac devices, has announced the first implantation of its new AIGISRx R fully resorbable antibacterial envelope at the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute in Nashville, Tennessee.

The second generation AIGISRx R is designed to securely hold cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) in place in order to offer a stable environment when the device is implanted in the body.

The fully resorbable antibacterial envelope contains rifampin and minocycline, two antimicrobial agents.

Released locally into the tissue, these agents help to reduce Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) associated with CIED implantation.

The company claimed that several studies have indicated that in patients who are at high-risk of device infection, CIED implantation with the AIGISRx R reduces such infections in the range of 70-100%, compared to those who did not receive the antibacterial mesh envelope.

TYRX president and CEO Robert White noted the company is pleased to have the first US AIGISRx R implantation at the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute.

"The AIGISRx R provides physicians and facilities with a key tool in preventing surgical site infections and in helping to lower the hospital costs associated with them.

"Two recent studies indicate that hospitals can save $102,000 for every 100 high-risk patients that receive the AIGISRx Antibacterial Envelope," White added.

A matched cohort study to compare the incidence of CIED infection in patients receiving a CIED with or without an AIGISRx antibacterial envelope was recently conducted by Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute.

In May, the company received the FDA clearance for its first generation partially-resorbable AIGISRx.