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Electromagnetic interference between implantable cardiac devices and continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices: a review

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Abstract

Many patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD) have other, co-existing implantable cardiac devices. While such devices often function appropriately, there is potential for electromagnetic interference (EMI). A literature review was performed to identify cases of EMI between CF-LVAD and other implanted cardiac devices to better understand their etiology, outcomes, and the strategies used to overcome such interference. The cases identified included interference between CF-LVAD and pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy. The EMI reported in the current literature can be broken down into two general categories: interference leading to difficulty establishing telemetry and interference leading to impaired electrical signal sensing. Such interference led to inappropriate shock delivery in some cases. The type of interference, and thus treatments, differed and were device dependent. The strategies employed to reduce interference included metal shielding, physical manipulation to increase the distance between devices, and even exchange of the implanted device with another brand of the same class. To avoid such EMI in the future, physicians must be aware of the reported interference between certain devices, and manufacturers must work more closely to increase the compatibility of implanted cardiac devices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiac Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 1025 Walnut St, Suite 607, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Jonathan S. Gordon, Elizabeth J. Maynes & Vakhtang Tchantchaleishvili

  2. Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Thomas J. O’Malley

  3. Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Behzad B. Pavri

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Contributions

Jonathan S Gordon, MD—Data collection, data analysis, drafting article, critical revision of article

Elizabeth J Maynes, MD—Data collection, drafting article

Thomas J O’Malley, MD—critical revision of article

Behzad B Pavri, MD—critical revision of article

Vakhtang Tchantchaleishvili, MD—critical revision of article, approval of article

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Correspondence to Vakhtang Tchantchaleishvili.

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Gordon, J.S., Maynes, E.J., O’Malley, T.J. et al. Electromagnetic interference between implantable cardiac devices and continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices: a review. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 61, 1–10 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-020-00930-8

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