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Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Insertion, Maintenance, and Removal of the Percutaneous Dual Lumen Cannula Right Ventricular Assist Device
Published on: July 20, 2022
Using a Cast Iron Skillet to Resolve Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device and Implantable
Mohammed Shaheriyar1, Muhammad Taimur2, J C Busby3
1Internal Medicine Residency Program, BayCare Health System/St Anthony's Hospital, St Petersburg, Florida, USA.
Background:
Percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD)-induced electromagnetic interference (EMI) can disrupt implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) telemetry. We describe a novel mitigation strategy using a cast iron skillet.
Case Summary:
An 81-year-old woman with an ICD underwent pVAD-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention for cardiogenic shock. Postprocedure interrogation for slow ventricular tachycardia failed due to significant EMI. Because hemodynamic instability precluded reducing pVAD flow to mitigate interference, a cast iron skillet was placed over the heart. This pseudo-Faraday cage successfully restored telemetry.
Discussion:
Although the "skillet method" aids durable left ventricular assist device interrogation, prior reports suggest inefficacy with pVADs, favoring flow reduction. We report the first successful use of a cast iron skillet to shield Impella EMI, offering a vital strategy for unstable patients unable to tolerate pump weaning.
Take-Home Messages:
pVAD systems can generate EMI, disrupting ICD telemetry. When hemodynamic instability prevents lowering pVAD flow, a cast iron skillet can assist in shielding EMI and restoring communication.
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