title: Electromagnetic interference with implantable cardiac pacemakers by video capsule.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Electromagnetic fields, such as those generated by cellular phones and metal detectors, may interfere with normal pacemaker function. However, it remains unclear whether the wireless capsule endoscope interacts with implanted pacemakers. This prospective study evaluated potential interactions between the M2A video capsule (Given Imaging, Yoknam, Israel) and implanted pacemakers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 100 consecutive patients (70 men, 30 women) with an implanted pacemaker (95 on bipolar mode) were studied. The testing was performed with a functional testing device (Test Cap) for the Given Diagnostic System that reproduces the effect of the video capsule by transmitting at exactly the same frequency. During continuous electrocardiographic monitoring and recording, 100 tests were carried out without changing the pacemaker settings. Those with a positive result were retested 1 week later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 100 pacemakers evaluated in the study population included the following: 70 dual chamber (11 DDD, 56 DDDR, 3 VDD) and 30 ventricular inhibited (12 VVI, 18 VVIR). In 4 of the 100 patients, pacemaker interference (noise-mode function forcing a synchronous mode) was registered during the Test Cap operation. Three patients had a dual-chamber pacemaker, and one had a single-chamber pacemaker. The interference was reproducible in all cases 1 week later. None of the implanted pacemakers tested was affected by oversensing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electromagnetic interferences with pacemakers from the M2A video capsule can occur, but this is without clinical significance. No potentially dangerous pacemaker inhibition was observed.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dubner
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dubner
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallino
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spallone
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zagalsky
authors.forename: Horacio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rubio
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: Eran
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goldin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020776:Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008904:Miniaturization; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014741:Video Recording