title: Influence of electromagnetic fields on function of automated external defibrillators.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, the authors tested whether electromagnetic interference (EMI) is able to impair correct electrocardiogram analysis and produce false-positive shock advice from automated external defibrillators (AEDs) when the true rhythm is sinus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen healthy subjects were used to test five AEDs available on the Austrian market in a prospective, open, and sequence-randomized study. The primary outcome variable was the absolute number of shocks advised in the presence of EMI. The secondary outcome was the number of impaired analyses caused by incorrectly detected patient movements or electrode failure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 760 tests run, 18 (2.37%) cases of false-positive results occurred, and two of five AEDs recommended shocks in the presence of sinus rhythm. Of 760 tests run, no electrode failures occurred. There were 27 occurrences (3.55%) of motion detected by an AED in the presence of strong electromagnetic fields.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AED models differ in their response to EMI; it may be useful to consider specific safety requirements for areas with such fields present. Working personnel and emergency medical services staff should be informed about potential risks and the possible need for patient evacuation before AEDs are attached and shock recommendations are followed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. roman.fleischhackl@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fleischhackl
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nitsche
authors.forename: Guenther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gamperl
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roessler
authors.forename: Jasmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arrich
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fleischhackl
authors.forename: Heidrun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Losert
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sterz
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mittlboeck
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoerauf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D011187:Posture; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values