title: Safety of screening procedures with hand-held metal detectors among patients with implanted cardiac rhythm devices: a cross-sectional analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Case reports suggest that the hand-held metal detectors used for security screening generate electromagnetic fields that may interfere with pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess changes in function of pacemakers and ICDs after exposure to hand-held metal detectors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two medical centers in Europe.
  
  
  METHODS
  388 patients (209 with pacemakers and 179 with ICDs) presenting for routine follow-up of device function between September 2009 and December 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Abnormalities on electrocardiography suggestive of rhythm device malfunction (pacing inhibition, loss of capture, inappropriate mode switch, ventricular oversensing, and spontaneous reprogramming) after 30 seconds of exposure to 2 widely used hand-held metal detectors with a maximal electromagnetic flux density of 6.3 µT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No change in device function, including pacing or sensing abnormalities or device reprogramming, was observed in any patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study included a convenience sample of patients, and the number of different device models tested was small. Testing was conducted in 2 clinic settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hand-held metal detectors did not affect the function of pacemakers or ICDs in this sample. The use of hand-held metal detectors for security screening is probably safe for patients with pacemakers and ICDs, but these findings require confirmation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  None.
authors: Deutsches Herzzentrum und 1. Medizinische Klinik des Klinikum rechts der Isar, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Germany. research@jilek.de
authors: Clemens
authors: C
authors: Jilek
authors: Stylianos
authors: S
authors: Tzeis
authors: Hrvoje
authors: H
authors: Vrazic
authors: Verena
authors: V
authors: Semmler
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Andrikopoulos
authors: Tilko
authors: T
authors: Reents
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Fichtner
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Ammar
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Rassias
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Theodorakis
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Weber
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Hessling
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Deisenhofer
authors: Christof
authors: C
authors: Kolb
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012637:Security Measures
chemical_list: D008670:Metals