External electromagnetic interference from sources like welders or diathermy equipment can cause inhibited pacemakers to react with intolerably high or low rates.
Does electromagnetic interference affect the function of implantable pacemakers?
Patients with implantable pacemakers should avoid specific sources of electromagnetic interference, such as diathermy equipment, to prevent potentially life-threatening pacemaker malfunctions.
The inhibited pacemaker (VVI or AAI) has become the most popular in recent years because of its ability to combine a physiological advantage with economical current consumption in cases with spontaneous activity. One of its disadvantages is its sensitivity to external electromagnetic interference. Though today's pacemakers possess effective protection against most interference signals there may be instances in which patients are subjected to uncomfortable or even life-threatening situations. This is the case of "amplitude modulated" or "pulsed" fields with modulation frequencies in the physiological range. Fields of that sort have been found in the vicinity of a welder, an electric steel plant, and in medical practice where therapeutic currents were applied. Even touch-actuated switches may influence a demand pacemaker. However, these situations may be overcome by a device within the pacemaker for simple time analysis which can be carried out with few components. If electromagnetic fields of diathermy equipment are applied, today's pacemakers may react with intolerably high or low rates. They should, therefore, be avoided.
Irnich et al. (Sun,) conducted a review in Patients with implantable pacemakers (VVI or AAI). External electromagnetic interference was evaluated. External electromagnetic interference from sources like welders or diathermy equipment can cause inhibited pacemakers to react with intolerably high or low rates.
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