Interference of remote magnetic catheter navigation and ablation with implanted devices for pacing and defibrillation

Remote magnetic catheter navigation (RMN) may facilitate catheter ablation. However, as the system uses permanent magnets, interference (INF) with devices for pacing [pacemaker (PM)], defibrillation [implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD)], or cardiac resynchronisation [cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)] may occur. We investigated the effects of the RMN system on implanted arrhythmia devices in a prospective series.

Prior to RMN-guided electrophysiological procedures, devices were fully interrogated and programmed to VVI 40/min with tachycardia detection off (if applicable). Periprocedural device performance was monitored by 12-lead electrocardiogram, and duration and effect of asynchronous stimulation resulting from INF were evaluated. Following the procedure, devices were again interrogated and system integrity verified. A total of 21 procedures in 18 patients with implanted devices [PM n = 12, ICD n = 3, CRT-pacemaker (P) n = 1, CRT-defibrillation (D) n = 2] were evaluated. No relevant changes in lead parameters or device programming were observed after the procedure. No INF was noted in ICD/CRT-D devices (tachycardia detection off) and in 2 PMs, whereas 10 PMs and 1 CRT-P switched to asynchronous stimulation for 1.8 ± 0.3 h (63 ± 13% of RMN duration) without clinical adverse effects. In one patient, ventricular tachycardia (VT) degenerating in ventricular fibrillation occurred, but no causal relation between INF and VT initiation could be ascertained.

This prospective data provide no evidence that using RMN in patients with implanted arrhythmia devices may cause persistent device dysfunction. Asynchronous PM stimulation is common without negative clinical consequences. Although a causal role of INF for the VT observed seems unlikely, risks and benefits of RMN utilization should carefully be weighed for each patient with an implanted arrhythmia device.