michael s
(Michael S)
#1
79 Can a patient with a pacemaker touch an
electric fence? ...have an MRI scan? ...go through
airport metal detectors? ...use a mobile phone?
Alistair Slade
Pacemakers have increasingly sophisticated circuitry to prevent
damage or interference from external magnetic interference.
Electric fences
Nobody should touch an electric fence but should electric shock
occur it would be wise to have the system checked by formal
interrogation in case electrical mode reversion has occurred.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI poses potential problems for the pacemaker patient.
Significant artefact would be obtained in regions close to an
implanted pacemaker but more importantly the powerful
magnetic fields might interfere with the device. Initial blanket
denial of MRI imaging to the pacemaker patient has been
tempered by small studies showing device safety under carefully
controlled conditions. Extreme caution should be advised and
expert opinion sought prior to planned MRI investigation.
Airport metal detectors
Airport metal detectors have the potential to interfere with pacing
systems. Patients should produce their pacemaker registration
cards to bypass busy security queues.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones have been extensively investigated in terms of
interaction with implanted devices. Analogue phonesdo not interact
with implanted devices but more modern digital deviceshave the
potential to interfere with pacing systems when utilised within a
field of 10–15 cm. Pacemaker patients with mobile phones are
therefore advised to carry mobile telephones on the opposite side
