Simple method to eliminate interference between ventricular assist devices and cardiac rhythm devices.
BACKGROUND
Report on a simple solution to allow programming of defibrillators in the presence of a Heartmate II (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, CA, USA) ventricular assist device. Ventricular assist devices have become increasingly utilized for patients waiting for heart transplantation as well as those who will be maintained on a permanent support. The Heartmate II, which was recently given Food and Drug Administration approval as a bridge-to-transplant device, has a particular anomaly that complicates patient management. The pulse width modulator of the Heartmate II produces electromagnetic noise that interferes with the ability to interrogate and program certain defibrillators, and explantation of the defibrillator has been reported as the only viable solution.


METHODS
The authors describe the use of cast-iron pans to reduce the electromagnetic interference between St. Jude Medical's first-generation Atlas family of defibrillators (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) and the Heartmate II pump.


RESULTS
The use of a simple shielding protocol avoids the need to remove a pre-existing defibrillator from a patient receiving support from the Heartmate II ventricular assist device.


CONCLUSIONS
The method described herein is important as future generations of medical devices may present different types of device-device interactions. Simple bedside methods to eliminate interference can potentially help patients who would otherwise need one or another device removed.
Baran
David A
DA
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey 07112, USA. dbaran@sbhcs.com
Martin
Tony
T
Blicharz
Donna
D
Carr
Candace
C
Zucker
Mark J
MJ
McBride
Lawrence
L
Camacho
Margarita
M
D016477:Artifacts; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004868:Equipment Failure; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004869:Equipment Safety / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D009515:New Jersey; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial