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Study of interactions between permanent pacemakers and electronic antitheft surveillance systems
1Pacing and Electrophysiology Department, Surgical Center Val d'Or, Saint-Cloud, France.
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|April 6, 2000
Summary
Electronic antitheft systems (EASs) can interfere with pacemakers, particularly DDD-type devices. While interference is common, it is usually transient and causes no lasting symptoms or reprogramming needs.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiology
- Medical Device Safety
Background:
- Electronic antitheft systems (EASs) are widely used in retail environments.
- Potential interference between EASs and cardiac pacemakers remains a concern for patients with implanted devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interference potential of EASs on various pacemaker types.
- To quantify the incidence and nature of pacemaker interference caused by EAS exposure.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed data from 204 patients with 408 pacemaker exposures to two types of EAS.
- Pacemakers included DDD, VVI, and VDD models from seven manufacturers.
- Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded during exposure to acoustomagnetic (58 kHz) and magnetic audio frequency (73 Hz) EAS signals.
Main Results:
- Interference occurred in 17% of patients, with higher rates in DDD (20%) and VDD (50%) pacemakers compared to VVI (10%).
- The acoustomagnetic EAS caused interference more frequently than the magnetic audio frequency system.
- Sensing anomalies were the most common disturbance, typically lasting for the exposure duration; pacing inhibition was rare and brief.
Conclusions:
- Interference between EASs and pacemakers is relatively common, especially with DDD devices, but generally transient.
- Observed anomalies did not lead to symptoms or require device reprogramming.
- Patients should be advised to avoid prolonged proximity to EASs.