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Airport Metal Detectors Are Safe for Pacemakers and ICDs

Even a simulated worst-case scenario caused no electromagnetic interference.

Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may be susceptible to electromagnetic interference from other devices (e.g., cellular telephones, electronic surveillance systems). Airport metal-detector gates (AMDGs) use alternating current to produce a primary magnetic flux within one or more coils. To determine whether AMDGs might interfere with pacemaker and ICD function, researchers in Germany set up a standard AMDG in their office to test its effect on 348 consecutive patients (200 with pacemakers, 148 with ICDs) who were undergoing routine device checks.

The researchers assessed pacemaker and ICD function by recording ECGs and interrogating devices before, during, and after exposure to the AMDG. While pacemakers and ICDs were in a pacing mode, patients walked back and forth through the AMDG, remained for 20 seconds within the AMDG, turned 360 degrees, and placed their devices (their chests) as close as possible to the AMDG transmitter -- a simulated worst-case scenario. None of the 348 devices showed pacing, sensing, or other interference.

Comment: These findings show that airport metal-detector gates do not interfere with pacemaker and ICD function. Given the growing number of patients with these devices, the results are reassuring.

— Hugh Calkins, MD

Published in Journal Watch Cardiology July 25, 2003

Citation(s):

Kolb CK et al. Do airport metal detectors interfere with implantable pacemakers or cardioverter-defibrillators? J Am Coll Cardiol 2003 Jun 4; 41:2054-9.

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