Implantable Cardiac Devices Are Safely Shielded from Electric Automobiles

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) to permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) is a concern for patients and physicians alike. Although the risk for interference seems low, the consequences could be dire, especially in pacemaker-dependent patients and patients with ICDs. In the first case, the interference could inhibit pacing, leading to syncope and worse, and in the second case, inappropriate shocks could occur. In a single-center study, patients with pacemakers or ICDs were invited to participate in a study ascertaining whether the maximal electromagnetic-field generation by the electric vehicles would cause inappropriate device behavior or malfunction.

All automobiles were pure electric (hybrid cars were ex…