Abstract
We report a case of electrocautery-induced pacemaker failure that resulted in asystole in a 15-year-old girl scheduled for cardiac surgery. Her pacemaker was converted to the asynchronous mode the night before surgery. Electromagnetic interference from the unipolar electrocautery caused a reducion in the battery voltage, which allowed the digital circuitry, but not the voltage control oscillator (VCO), to work properly. Eventually the battery current drain caused VCO “lock-out,” and pacemaker and battery failure. This report demonstrates that electrocautery-induced pacemaker failure can occur, even after conversion to asynchronous mode.
Résumé
Nous rapportons le cas du mauvais fonctionnement d’un pacemaker causé par l’électrocautère et qui a mené à une asystolie chez une patiente de 15 ans qui devait subir une chirurgie cardiaque. Son pacemaker a été converti à un mode asynchrone la nuit avant la chirurgie. L’interférence électromagnétique de l’électrocautère unipolaire a causé une diminution du voltage de la pile. Ceci a permis au circuit digital, mais non à l’oscillateur de contrôle du voltage (VCO), de bien fonctionner. Eventuellement, la fuite de courant de la pile a causé une mise en veilleuse du VCO, et une panne du pacemaker et de la pile. Ce communiqué nous démontre qu une panne du pacemaker causée par l’électrocautère peut survenir, même après une conversion à un mode asynchrone.
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Mangar, D., Atlas, G.M. & Kane, P.B. Electrocautery-induced pacemaker malfunction during surgery. Can J Anaesth 38, 616–618 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03008198
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03008198