title: Use of an electronic apex locator on a cardiac pacemaker patient.
abstract: Modern cardiac pacemakers are complex and heterogenous devices. The potential effect of electrically powered instruments on a patient's pacemaker function must be carefully evaluated before treatment. Interference with the pacemaker's function by the instrument depends on the specific type of pacemaker placed and the patient's dependence on it. A case is presented in which an electronic apex locator was used on a patient with a pacemaker, despite the manufacturer's written warning to the contrary. The patient's cardiologist was consulted before treatment.
authors.affiliation: Endodontics Department, National Naval Dental Center, Bethesda, MD 20889-5602, USA.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Beach
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bramwell
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hutter
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000628:therapy; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*