Electromagnetic Interference with Cardiac Implantable Devices by Household and Industrial Appliances

Abstract

Modern cardiac implantable devices (CIDs) such as pacemakers (PMs), implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), and defibrillators for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-Ds) are engineered to be resistant to electromagnetic interference (EMI). However, such interference is still a concern when patients are exposed to household and occupational appliances in daily life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of EMI caused by several types of household and industrial appliances. EMI with 20 CIDs (12 PMs, 7 ICDs, 1 CRT-D) was tested for 16 household and 19 industrial appliances using three methods of measurement: Irnich's human body model, an alternating electric field device, and an alternate-current and static-current magnetic field device. The thresholds for the risk of EMI were defined as an alternating electric field of 5000 V/m, an alternate-current magnetic field of 20 mT, and a static-current magnetic field of 10 G. In 35 tests, 15 of the 16 household appliances showed no EMI with any CIDs, but an induction oven showed a potential risk of EMI with 2 PMs. None of the 19 industrial appliances showed EMI with any CIDs, provided that an appropriate distance from the appliances was maintained. These findings should allow physicians to evaluate whether patients with a CID can safely return to their homes and workplaces. (J Arrhythmia 2011; 27: 49-56)