CLINICAL RESEARCH: ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS
Do airport metal detectors interfere with implantable pacemakers or cardioverter-defibrillators?
Christof Kolb, MD*,*,
Sebastian Schmieder, MD*,
G.ünter Lehmann, MD*,
Bernhard Zrenner, MD*,
Martin R. Karch, MD*,
Andreas Plewan, MD* and
Claus Schmitt, MD*
* Deutsches Herzzentrum München and 1. Med. Klinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany
Manuscript received November 30, 2002;
revised manuscript received February 7, 2003,
accepted February 20, 2003.
* Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. med. Christof Kolb, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Elektrophysiologie, Lazarettstrasse 36, 80636 Munich, Germany.
Kolb{at}dhm.mhn.de
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether airport metal detector gates (AMDGs) interfere with pacemakers (PMs) or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).
BACKGROUND: It is currently unknown whether AMDGs interfere with implanted PMs or ICDs.
METHODS: A total of 348 consecutive patients (200 PM and 148 ICD recipients) have been tested for the occurrence of electromagnetic interference (EMI) within the electromagnetic field of a worldwide-used airport metal detector.
RESULTS: No interference, such as pacing or sensing abnormalities, was observed in any of the 200 PM and 148 ICD patients; also no reprogramming occurred.
CONCLUSIONS: In vivo testing of PM and ICD systems showed no EMI with a standard AMDG. Clinically relevant interactions with implanted PMs or ICDs seem unlikely.
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Abbreviations and Acronyms
| | AMDG | | airport metal detector gate | | ECG | | electrocardiogram | | EMI | | electromagnetic interference | | ICD | | implantable cardioverter-defibrillator | | PM | | pacemaker |
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