title: Safety of transient elastography in patients with implanted cardiac rhythm devices.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  At present the use of transient elastography (TE) in patients with pacemaker (PM) or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) devices is not recommended, since the safety due to the electromagnet embarked in the vibrator for producing the shearwave has not been evaluated. However, no adverse events of sonographic examinations in this patient group have been reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety of TE in patients with PM or ICD.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study we evaluated safety and function of such devices during TE. In 17 patients with PM and 17 patients with ICD, the function of the device was checked prior to and after TE examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In none of the 34 patients changes in stimulation thresholds, electrode impedance and sensing were detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings support the assumption that the potential harm of TE in patients with PM and ICD is rare.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine 1, J.W. Goethe-University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany. Electronic address: Mireen.Friedrich-Rust@kgu.de.
authors.forename: Mireen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friedrich-Rust
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine 1, J.W. Goethe-University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schoelzel
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine 3, J.W. Goethe-University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Linzbach
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine 1, J.W. Goethe-University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bojunga
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine 1, J.W. Goethe-University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeuzem
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine 3, J.W. Goethe-University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Seeger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D061214:Patient Safety; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Defibrillator; Pacemaker; Shear-wave; Transient elastography