BACKGROUND: Case reports suggest that the hand-held metal detectors used for security screening generate electromagnetic fields that may interfere with pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) function. OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in function of pacemakers and ICDs after exposure to hand-held metal detectors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Two medical centers in Europe. PATIENTS: 388 patients (209 with pacemakers and 179 with ICDs) presenting for routine follow-up of device function between September 2009 and December 2010. MEASUREMENTS: Abnormalities on electrocardiography suggestive of rhythm device malfunction (pacing inhibition, loss of capture, inappropriate mode switch, ventricular oversensing, and spontaneous reprogramming) after 30 seconds of exposure to 2 widely used hand-held metal detectors with a maximal electromagnetic flux density of 6.3 µT. RESULTS: No change in device function, including pacing or sensing abnormalities or device reprogramming, was observed in any patient. LIMITATIONS: The study included a convenience sample of patients, and the number of different device models tested was small. Testing was conducted in 2 clinic settings. CONCLUSION: Hand-held metal detectors did not affect the function of pacemakers or ICDs in this sample. The use of hand-held metal detectors for security screening is probably safe for patients with pacemakers and ICDs, but these findings require confirmation. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: None.
BACKGROUND: Case reports suggest that the hand-held metal detectors used for security screening generate electromagnetic fields that may interfere with pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) function. OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in function of pacemakers and ICDs after exposure to hand-held metal detectors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Two medical centers in Europe. PATIENTS: 388 patients (209 with pacemakers and 179 with ICDs) presenting for routine follow-up of device function between September 2009 and December 2010. MEASUREMENTS: Abnormalities on electrocardiography suggestive of rhythm device malfunction (pacing inhibition, loss of capture, inappropriate mode switch, ventricular oversensing, and spontaneous reprogramming) after 30 seconds of exposure to 2 widely used hand-held metal detectors with a maximal electromagnetic flux density of 6.3 µT. RESULTS: No change in device function, including pacing or sensing abnormalities or device reprogramming, was observed in any patient. LIMITATIONS: The study included a convenience sample of patients, and the number of different device models tested was small. Testing was conducted in 2 clinic settings. CONCLUSION: Hand-held metal detectors did not affect the function of pacemakers or ICDs in this sample. The use of hand-held metal detectors for security screening is probably safe for patients with pacemakers and ICDs, but these findings require confirmation. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: None.
Authors: Muhammad Hammadah; Bryan R Kindya; Marc P Allard-Ratick; Sammer Jazbeh; Danny Eapen; W H Wilson Tang; Laurence Sperling Journal: Clin Cardiol Date: 2017-06-08 Impact factor: 2.882
Authors: Stephan von Haehling; Christoph Birner; Elke Dworatzek; Stefan Frantz; Kristian Hellenkamp; Carsten W Israel; Tibor Kempf; Hermann H Klein; Christoph Knosalla; Ulrich Laufs; Philip Raake; Rolf Wachter; Gerd Hasenfuss Journal: Nat Rev Cardiol Date: 2022-01-06 Impact factor: 49.421