title: Interference of GSM mobile phones with communication between Cardiac Rhythm Management devices and programmers: A combined in vivo and in vitro study.
abstract: To investigate interference, and how to avoid it, by high-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) mobile phone with communication between cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMs) and programmers, a combined in vivo and in vitro testing was conducted. During in vivo testing, GSM mobile phones interfered with CRM-programmer communication in 33 of 65 subjects tested (50.8%). Losing ventricle sensing was representative in this study. In terms of clinical symptoms, only 4 subjects (0.6%) felt dizzy during testing. CRM-programmer communication recovered upon termination of mobile phone communication. During in vitro testing, electromagnetic interference by high-frequency (700-950 MHz) EMFs reproducibly occurred in duplicate testing in 18 of 20 CRMs (90%). During each interference, the pacing pulse signal on the programmer would suddenly disappear while the synchronous signal was normal on the amplifier-oscilloscope. Simulation analysis showed that interference by radiofrequency emitting devices with CRM-programmer communication may be attributed to factors including materials, excitation source distance, and implant depth. Results suggested that patients implanted with CRMs should not be restricted from using GSM mobile phones; however, CRMs should be kept away from high-frequency EMFs of GSM mobile phone during programming.
authors: Division of Cardiology, the Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, State Key Discipline Division, Shanghai, China.
authors: Dong
authors: D
authors: Huang
authors: Division of Cardiology, the Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, State Key Discipline Division, Shanghai, China.
authors: Zhi-Feng
authors: ZF
authors: Dong
authors: Department of Geratology, Shanghai People's Armed Police Corps Hospital, Shanghai, China.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Chen
authors: Division of Cardiology, the Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, State Key Discipline Division, Shanghai, China.
authors: Fa-Bin
authors: FB
authors: Wang
authors: St. Jude Medical, Shanghai, China.
authors: Zhi
authors: Z
authors: Wei
authors: State Grid Company of Shanghai, China.
authors: Wen-Bin
authors: WB
authors: Zhao
authors: Division of Cardiology, the Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, State Key Discipline Division, Shanghai, China.
authors: Shuai
authors: S
authors: Li
authors: Division of Cardiology, the Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, State Key Discipline Division, Shanghai, China.
authors: Ming-Ya
authors: MY
authors: Liu
authors: Division of Cardiology, the Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, State Key Discipline Division, Shanghai, China.
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Zhu
authors: Division of Cardiology, the Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, State Key Discipline Division, Shanghai, China.
authors: Meng
authors: M
authors: Wei
authors: Division of Cardiology, the Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, State Key Discipline Division, Shanghai, China.
authors: Jing-Bo
authors: JB
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040421:Cell Phone; D003142:Communication; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial
keywords: electromagnetic interference (EMI); pacemaker programmers; pacemakers; simulation model