Safety of electromagnetic articulography in patients with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.
OBJECTIVE
Electromagnetic articulography (EMA) uses a helmet to create alternating magnetic fields for tracking speech articulator movement. An important safety consideration is whether EMA magnetic fields interfere with the operation of speakers' pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). In this investigation, individuals with pacemaker/ICD devices were exposed to EMA fields under controlled conditions while potential interference was examined.


METHODS
Twelve adults with pacemaker/ICD devices from 3 major manufacturers were assessed for device function before, during, and after exposure to magnetic fields from a Carstens AG100 EMA system. Potential interference was probed, with EMA transmitters positioned at varying distances from the implantable devices and with the EMA system set at different operating strengths.


RESULTS
No adverse affects in device operation were observed under any conditions. The only potential complication was temporary telemetry-link interference during device testing in some cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that EMA technology may be safely used with patients who have pacemakers and ICDs. However, the present findings do not rule out potential interference with other pacemaker/ICD manufacturers or with different articulography systems. Precautions are suggested for testing individuals with pacemaker/ICDs under EMA conditions.
Joglar
Jose A
JA
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Nguyen
Carol
C
Garst
Diane M
DM
Katz
William F
WF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012449:Safety; D013060:Speech