Electromagnetic interference induced ventricular tachycardia in left ventricular assist device

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are vital for end-stage heart failure patients awaiting transplantation or as destination therapy.
• Many patients receiving LVADs already have implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for arrhythmia management.

Observation:

• A case study identified electromagnetic interference (EMI) between an LVAD and an ICD.
• This interaction led to recurrent, inappropriate ICD therapies for ventricular arrhythmias.

Findings:

• The EMI caused the ICD to deliver unnecessary shocks, followed by activation of its noise reversion mode.
• Noise reversion mode inappropriately inhibited the ICD from delivering necessary therapies.

Implications:

• As LVAD use increases in patients with existing ICDs, device-device interactions pose a significant clinical challenge.
• Awareness and recognition of potential EMI are critical to prevent adverse events and unnecessary interventions.