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X‐ray Effects on Pacemaker Type Circuits
Author(s) -
BLAMIRES N.G.,
MYATT J.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8159.1982.tb02206.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pace , electronic circuit , irradiation , medical physics , electrical engineering , physics , astronomy , nuclear physics , engineering
Queries have been raised concerning the potential hazards of X‐ray irradiation on patienls using the new generation of heart pacemakers based on digital circuitry. The present study was undertaken to provide some answers to these queries. The work was conducted in two parts. First, a literature search was done and, second, circuits using current “state of the art” digital technology were irradiated with X‐rays. Watch circuits were chosen because of their availability and built‐in facilities by which their function could be tested. Doses up to 330 rods were administered to them using energies of 46.114, and 141 KeV. The conclusion drawn from both parts of the study was that X‐rays used for diagnostic purposes were uniikeiy to affect the performance of this type of circuit in any way. It was accepted that for therapeutic purposes doses far in excess of this are administered and circuit malfunctions are likely to occur. To assess the probability of a digital pacemaker malfunctioning, samples of that particular type would have to be irradiated at the reievent dose. (PACE, Vol. 5, March‐April, 1982)