Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center & Brigham & Women’s Center & Brigham & Women’s Hospital Hospital ICD Patient Support GroupICD Patient Support Group

The 411 on iPODs: The 411 on iPODs:

Electromagnetic Interference and Electromagnetic Interference and DevicesDevices

Pacemaker Interference with iPOD MP3 PlayersJay P. Thaker, Mehul B. Patel, MD, Haiyan Li, MD, Sujeeth R.Punnam, MD and Krit Jongnarangsin, MD. Michigan State University, Lansing, MI and University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.

Results: 83 patients “tested” by placing iPOD directly over the

pacemaker from 5-10 seconds while turning it on and off Over Sensing was seen in 20% (~17 patients) > 50% of the

time the devices interacted Telemetry Interference in 29% (~24 patients) > 50% of the

time the devices interacted Transient Pacemaker Inhibition in 1.2% (1 patient) None of the patients reported any symptoms

Conclusions:

We found interference in 50% of patients. Our observations are disconcerting because implantable pacemakers have become commonplace worldwide and the iPod has become an ubiquitous personal digital entertainment device. Other MP3 players may also possibly interact with pacemakers.

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Keep your ICD at least 6 inches from all of the previously listed devices.