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Metal detector use safe for patients with implanted cardiac rhythm devices
Jilek C. Ann Intern Med. 2011;155:587-592.
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Using hand-held metal detectors for security screening is safe for patients with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators, new study results suggest.
Researchers performed testing at the German Heart Center Munich and Henry Dunant Hospital in Athens, Greece, on 388 patients (mean age, 66 years; 76% men) between September 2009 and December 2010. More than 200 had pacemakers and 179 had ICDs. Every fourth patient was examined in a supine position under continuous 12-lead electrocardiographic monitoring. Any abnormalities suggesting rhythm device malfunction after 30 seconds of exposure to PD140 (Ceia) and MH5 (Vallon) metal detectors with a maximal electromagnetic flux density of 6.3 mcT were measured. An evaluation of battery status; assessment of pacing and sensing function of implanted leads through atrial and ventricular capture and sensing thresholds; and review of arrhythmia diagnostics were performed as standardized follow-up to confirm appropriate device function.
Researchers observed no change in pacing or sensing abnormalities, device reprogramming, electrocardiogram abnormalities, abnormal pacemaker or ICD function, and spontaneous reprogramming of devices in patients during or after exposure to hand-held metal detectors. Because hand-held metal detector screening does not exceed 6 seconds, risk for inhibition of pacing, inappropriate detection of ventricular fibrillation and delivery of shocks, or inappropriate detection of ventricular tachycardia and therapy delivery in patients with pacemakers and ICDs was unlikely, the researchers said.
Although results point to no complications, they said more testing is warranted. “We tested detector-device interference in isolated clinic rooms and we cannot exclude that interference could occur in airports or other security settings where many electronic devices are emitting electromagnetic radiation,” they wrote. “We believe that this scenario is unlikely, however, given that the strength of magnetic fields is inversely related to their distance from the source.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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