[Influence of radio and television sets on implanted cardiac pacemakers (author's transl)]

Investigations done on implanted pacemakers with a low threshold against extraneous signals and in-vitro tests under suitable conditions both showed that pacemaker wearers may go near television and accessories such as ultrsound distant control or flexless infrared ear phones without any danger. Radio and television sets are fitted to an increasing degree with electronic sensor switches which initiate various functions after a slight touch. This satisfies present regulations of German Electrical Engineers concerning permitted contact currents. However, pacemaker patients can cause impulse defects by use of sensor switches provided the contact current is less than 25 muA. Sensor technique will in the future be introduced for everyday use on a large scale. Therefore, pacemaker patients should be alerted to the possibilities of an influence, and industry should be made to reduce contact currents in sensors to values below 20 muA.