Risk of cellular phone interference with an implantable loop recorder

This study examined the risk of cellular phone ringing interference with implantable loop recorders (ILR). The technical manual of ILR warns of potential interference by cellular phone in close proximity to the implanted device, corrupting the data stored in memory or causing inappropriate device operation. The ringing phase of a digital Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) or Personal Communication Services (PCS) cellular phone includes a brief burst of peak emitted power. To obviate the risk of dysfunction in recipients of implanted ILRs, the testing was performed with externally applied devices. The ILR was positioned in the left parasternal region and the telemetry wand removed after regular programming. Digital cellular telephones were placed over the device at a 1-cm distance and calls were placed. The phone systems tested were single- or dual-band receivers. The GSM used a maximal power output of 2 W, operating on a 900 MHz carrier frequency, and the PCS a maximal output of 1 W, operating on a 1800 MHz carrier frequency. The device activator was used to store the episodes encompassing the tests. Sixty nine tests were performed in 45 patients. In 61 tests, high-frequency polymorphic artifacts were visible on manually activated recordings, beginning a few seconds before the first audible ringing tone and persisting throughout the ringing phase. Cellular phone ringing in close proximity to an externally applied ILR caused bursts of high-frequency signals during electrocardiogram monitoring, without causing permanent device dysfunction or reprogramming. Cellular telephones are a potential source of electrocardiographic artifacts on ILR recordings.