Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Electrocautery-induced pacemaker malfunction during surgery.

D Mangar1, G M Atlas, P B Kane

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa 33612-4799.

Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia = Journal Canadien D'Anesthesie
|July 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Rapid bedside rejuvenation of red blood cell with an autologous cell salvage device.

Vox sanguinis·2018
Same author

The value of occlusive balloons in the management of abnormal placentation: A retrospective study.

Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·2015
Same author

Pulmonary embolism presenting as a seizure in the immediate postpartum period.

Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·2014
Same author

Hypothermia attenuates NO production in anesthetized rats with endotoxemia.

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology·2014
Same author

Cardiac manifestations of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Heart, lung and vessels·2013
Same author

Resolution of cardiac tamponade after chest compression.

Herz·2013
Same journal

Comment on: Brachial plexus block at the level of the humeral head: a proof-of-concept observational cadaver and clinical study.

Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie·2026
Same journal

In reply: Comment on: Brachial plexus block at the level of the humeral head: a proof-of-concept observational cadaver and clinical study.

Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie·2026
Same journal

Effects of acupoint stimulation for postoperative analgesia after Cesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie·2026
Same journal

Tracheal ochronosis.

Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie·2026
Same journal

Association between lactate clearance rate and 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis: a retrospective cohort study and exploration of an optimal lactate clearance as an endpoint of resuscitation.

Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie·2026
Same journal

Lactate clearance in patients with septic shock: identifying the point of diminishing returns.

Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie·2026
See all related articles

Electrosurgery can cause pacemaker failure, even in asynchronous mode. A teenage girl experienced asystole due to pacemaker malfunction during cardiac surgery preparation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Medical Device Safety

Background:

  • Pacemakers are crucial for managing cardiac arrhythmias.
  • Surgical procedures often require electrocautery, a common source of electromagnetic interference.
  • Pacemaker settings are sometimes adjusted to asynchronous mode before surgery to prevent interference.

Observation:

  • A 15-year-old female patient experienced pacemaker failure leading to asystole.
  • The event occurred despite the pacemaker being set to asynchronous mode prior to cardiac surgery.
  • Unipolar electrocautery was used during the surgical preparation.

Findings:

  • Electromagnetic interference from unipolar electrocautery reduced pacemaker battery voltage.
  • This voltage reduction allowed digital circuitry to function but impaired the voltage control oscillator (VCO).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Sustained battery current drain led to VCO lock-out, resulting in complete pacemaker and battery failure.

    • Implications:

    • Electrocautery poses a significant risk of pacemaker failure, irrespective of asynchronous mode conversion.
    • This case highlights the need for heightened awareness and potentially revised protocols for managing pacemakers during procedures involving electrocautery.
    • Further research is warranted to understand the precise mechanisms and develop mitigation strategies for electrocautery-induced pacemaker malfunction.