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Related Experiment Videos

Activity-sensing permanent internal pacemaker dysfunction during helicopter aeromedical transport.

R S Gordon1, K B O'Dell, R B Low

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina 28232-2861.

Annals of Emergency Medicine
|November 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Helicopter transport can increase pacemaker rates, but this effect on activity-sensing pacemakers is predictable and preventable. Reprogramming or magnet application can safely manage pacemaker function during aeromedical transport.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Aerospace Medicine

Background:

  • Activity-sensing pacemakers are crucial for patients with cardiac conditions.
  • Helicopter aeromedical transport presents unique environmental challenges, including vibration and rotor motion.
  • Potential pacemaker dysfunction during transport could compromise patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence, severity, and causes of activity-sensing pacemaker malfunction during helicopter transport.
  • To evaluate the impact of helicopter flight conditions on pacemaker function.

Main Methods:

  • Two Medtronic Activitrax pacemaker models were externally attached to four healthy volunteers.
  • Volunteers underwent helicopter flights in Aerospatiale Dauphin and Twinstar models.
  • Pacemaker heart rates were recorded during flight sequences, with interventions including magnet application and reprogramming.

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Main Results:

  • Average pacemaker rate increased from 65 bpm preflight to 105 bpm in-flight.
  • This rate increase consistently resolved upon helicopter shutdown.
  • External magnet application effectively prevented the in-flight rate increase.

Conclusions:

  • Rotor motion and flight vibration predictably affect Activitrax pacemaker rate-response.
  • Pacemaker function during helicopter transport is manageable through reprogramming or magnet use.
  • Guidelines for safe patient transport with pacemakers are proposed.