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Electromagnetic Interference of Digital and Analog Cellular Telephones with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators : In Vitro and In Vivo Studies
Author(s) -
BARBARO V.,
BARTOLINI P.,
BELLOCCI F.,
CARUSO F.,
DONATO A.,
GABRIELLI D.,
MILITELLO C.,
MONTENERO A.S.,
ZECCHI P.
Publication year - 1999
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.1540-8159.1999.tb00504.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ventricular fibrillation , in vivo , gsm , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , ventricular tachycardia , nerve stimulator , electromagnetic interference , telecommunications , cardiology , anesthesia , computer science , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
The present study examines the potential electromagnetic interference effects induced by cellular telephones on ICDs. We developed ad hoc protocols to conduct both in vitro and in vivo trials on most of the implantable cardioverter defibrillators available on the international market. Trials were conducted with three cellular telephones: two GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) and one TACS (Total Access Communication System). A human trunk simulator was used to carry out in vitro observations on six ICDs from five manufacturers. In vivo tests were conducted on 13 informed patients with eight different ICD models. During the trials in air, GSM telephones induced interference effects on 4 out of the 6 cardioverter defibrillators tested. Specifically, pulse inhibition, reprogramming, false ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia detections occurred, which would have entailed inappropriate therapy delivery had this been activated. Effects were circumscribed to the area closely surrounding the connectors. When the ICD was immersed in saline solution, no effects were observed. Three cases of just ventricular triggering with the interfering signal were observed in vivo.