Effects of static magnetic fields on the cardiac implantable devices and their comparison

Abstract

When placed in an environment with the magnetic flux density higher than a certain value, cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) possibly show magnet response and affect patients’ safety.

In this study, we investigated the magnetic flux density at which magnet response works in six types of CIEDs. Further, we measured the magnetic flux density of the radio wave utilization equipments generally used in the hospital and investigated the relationship with magnet response.

Among the investigated CIEDs, Cobalt (Medtronic) ICD showed magnetic response at the minimum value of the magnetic flux density larger than 1 mT. In addition, the magnetic flux density exceeded 21 mT in all of the radio wave utilization equipments.

Our findings suggests that the investigated CIEDs are possibly affected by magnet response when the magnetic flux density is larger than the minimum value of 1 mT, and therefore CIEDs are possibly affected by all the target radio wave utilization equipments. For the medical safety management, it is necessary to disseminate and share information with patients, their families, and medical staffs to make them aware of this risk.