Recommendations on the prevention and management of interference caused by medical procedures in patients with implanted electronic cardiac devices has been published today in EP Europace, and presented at the 2022 European Heart Rhythm Association annual meeting (EHRA 2022, 3‒5 April, Copenhagen, Denmark). The paper covers pacemakers, defibrillators, and loop recorders.
“Interference is frequently caused by numerous medical interventions, but rare consequences are largely avoidable if preventive actions are taken,” said lead author Markus Stühlinger (Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria). “The document outlines what medical staff should do before and during different types of medical procedures. Patients can also contribute by carrying their device card which specifies the type, model and manufacturer.”
Interference that may affect the functioning of devices can occur during medical procedures due to electromagnetic fields (for example during surgery), a magnetic field (i.e. magnetic resonance imaging; MRI), radiation (e.g. cancer treatment), or acoustic waves (e.g. lithotripsy to destroy kidney stones). The result is that the electronic cardiac device may stop working temporarily or permanently, or deliver an unneeded shock. Modern surgery typically uses electrocautery, where an electrical current is delivered via a scalpel.
“If the procedure is close to the generator of a pacemaker or defibrillator, the device may recognise the signal and respond to it inappropriately,” explained Stühlinger. “This can cause inhibition of pacing, leading to a drop in heart rate, or an unnecessary shock because the device erroneously detects a dangerous arrhythmia.”
The authors outline the steps that should be taken to prevent device malfunctioning due to interference. For surgery, the first step is to check how reliant the patient is on the device—for example, does he or she need constant pacing or not? In addition, medical staff should check that the device and its battery are working properly. The second step is to test how the device responds to having a magnet placed next to it. If the device reacts as expected, then surgery can proceed normally, and the electrocardiogram (ECG) and pulse should be monitored. If the device behaviour is abnormal, a magnet can be placed near the device during surgery to inhibit interference from electrocautery.
It is estimated that 50‒75% of patients with implanted cardiac devices will need an MRI scan during the lifetime of their device. The document states that MRI should only be performed in patients with these devices in centres with appropriate teams, protocols, and equipment.
“Collaborative relationships between radiologists, physicists, cardiologists, and allied health staff members are essential for safe outcomes,” state the authors. They recommend reprogramming the cardiac device before and after a scan and provide detailed instructions.
For radiation, there is a small risk that cardiac devices will not function properly after therapy. Stühlinger said: “Pacemakers and implanted defibrillators should be checked regularly during radiation treatment, either with remote monitoring or a weekly in-person appointment.
He concluded: “This is a comprehensive report describing the preventive measures that should be employed to ensure that patients with implanted cardiac devices can undergo medical procedures safely.”
The international consensus statement was developed by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA); the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS); the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS); and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS). It is also published in Heart Rhythm, Journal of Arrhythmia, and Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology.
