title: Electromagnetic interference between external defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemaker (CRT-P) devices.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Implantable heart rhythm devices are susceptible to interference in hospitals where electromagnetic interference (EMI) sources are ubiquitous.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report three cases in which EMI from the external defibrillator caused the inability to interrogate Boston Scientific cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemaker (CRT-P) devices. We have documented interference with the Boston Scientific CRT-P Contact Renewal device model numbers H120/H125 (Natick, MA, USA) and two brands of external defibrillators: the Philips Heartstart XL model number M4735A (Andover, MA, USA) and the Hewlett-Packard Codemaster model number M1722B (Palo Alto, CA, USA). For device implants, we routinely place external pacing pads with the external defibrillator in the "standby" mode for transcutaneous pacing so that only the pacer "start/stop" button needs to be pressed when necessary. We have not been able to interrogate three consecutive Boston Scientific CRT-P devices prior to closure while the external defibrillator had the back-up pacing mode on "standby." In our initial case, a second device was opened because this interaction was not recognized. We documented EMI with the standby pacing mode ON and discovered that by disabling only the "standby" pacing mode on the external defibrillator, the device could be interrogated without difficulty.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is a case series reporting EMI with a Boston Scientific CRT-P Contact Renewal device H120/H125 telemetry from an external defibrillator with pacing mode on "standby." Failure to recognize this important interaction may lead to inappropriate device and resource utilization.
authors: Division of Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors: Hamid
authors: H
authors: Ghanbari
authors: Hazim
authors: H
authors: Al-Ameri
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Ottino
authors: Cordell
authors: C
authors: Hastings
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Kippola
authors: Ioni
authors: I
authors: Gueron
authors: Marcos
authors: M
authors: Daccarett
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Machado