Related Experiment Videos
Interference with cardiac pacemakers by cellular telephones
D L Hayes1, P J Wang, D W Reynolds
1Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
The New England Journal of Medicine
|May 22, 1997
Summary
Electromagnetic interference between cellular telephones and cardiac pacemakers can occur, but is unlikely to pose a health risk when phones are used normally over the ear. Specific pacemaker types and proximity increase interference risk.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Growing evidence suggests potential electromagnetic interference between cellular telephones and cardiac pacemakers.
- This interference poses a potential public health concern due to electromagnetic fields generated by cellular devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the potential for electromagnetic interference between various cellular telephones and implanted cardiac pacemakers.
- To evaluate the clinical significance and incidence of interference under different testing conditions.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, prospective, crossover study involving 980 patients with cardiac pacemakers.
- Testing included five types of telephones (analog and digital) in test mode and during actual transmission.
- Patients were monitored electrocardiographically with telephones at the ear and over the pacemaker.
Main Results:
- Overall interference incidence was 20%, with clinically significant interference in 6.6% of tests.
- No clinically significant interference occurred when telephones were held over the ear.
- Interference was more frequent in dual-chamber pacemakers and those without feed-through filters.
Conclusions:
- Cellular telephones can interfere with cardiac pacemaker function.
- Normal use of cellular telephones over the ear does not present a significant health risk.
- Pacemaker type and presence of filters influence interference susceptibility.