*2.2.6 Duration of treatment*

The start of antibiotic therapy duration is counted from the first day of negative blood cultures, therefore it is reasonable to obtain blood cultures every 24 to 48 hours until they are negative [31]. If the patient requires surgery and the surgical cultures are negative, then the duration of therapy is still counted from the first day of negative blood cultures [31]. If surgical cultures are positive, then the start of antibiotic therapy duration occurs the next day, after the achievement of source control [31]. This applies to post device removal as well as some authors recommend obtaining new blood cultures 48–72 hours post device removal [26]. If the need for CIED remains in patients treated for bacteremia, negative blood cultures should be documented at least 72 hours prior to new device implantation [29]. Duration of treatment usually consists of 4–6 weeks of IV antibiotics, in addition to removal of CIED [29].
