[The absence of interference between GSM mobile telephones and implantable defibrillators: an in-vivo study. Groupe Systèmes Mobiles].

Revista espanola de cardiologia · 1997 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 4157

In 30 patients tested with GSM mobile phones placed in close contact with the defibrillator can and precordium under several call conditions, no electromagnetic interference was observed. One patient had non-sustained ventricular tachycardia during testing th…

Study snapshot

PublicationRevista espanola de cardiologia · 1997

Study typeother

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The electromagnetic field created by mobile telephones can cause pacemaker dysfunction. Although implantable cardioverter defibrillators are also susceptible to electromagnetic interference, few studies have addressed this issue and compatibility with the GSM mode has not been tested. This study was developed to detect possible "in vivo" interference between GSM mobile telephones and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group is composed of 30 patients with 8 different models of defibrillators. Twenty six had endocardial leads and 4 epicardial. Three GSM mobile phones were used: Siemens S3 COM and Motorola 6200 in all cases and Ericsson GA 318 in one. The tests were performed under continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. All therapies were deactivated and sensitivities were set to maximal parameters. The telephones were positioned in close contact to the defibrillator can and precordium, in two different angles. Three situations were evaluated: calling, established contact for 15 seconds and ringing. The protocol was repeated during pacing to assess the possibility of pacemaker mode inhibition. RESULTS: No cases of electromagnetic interference were observed. One patient presented non-sustained ventricular tachycardia episodes during the tests that were detected by the defibrillator. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that electromagnetic interference by GSM mobile phones are not a probable cause of implantable defibrillators dysfunction.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionno_effect

Population30 patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (8 different models)

Sample size30

ExposureRF · calling; established contact for 15 seconds; ringing

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Electromagnetic interference with implantable cardioverter defibrillators
Pacemaker mode inhibition during pacing
Detection of arrhythmia episodes by defibrillator during exposure tests

Limitations

Frequency and SAR/exposure levels not reported in abstract
Short exposure durations (e.g., 15 seconds) and limited test scenarios described
Only three GSM phone models tested (one used in a single case)
Therapies were deactivated and sensitivities set to maximal parameters, which may not reflect typical clinical settings

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "calling; established contact for 15 seconds; ringing"
  },
  "population": "30 patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (8 different models)",
  "sample_size": 30,
  "outcomes": [
    "Electromagnetic interference with implantable cardioverter defibrillators",
    "Pacemaker mode inhibition during pacing",
    "Detection of arrhythmia episodes by defibrillator during exposure tests"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 30 patients tested with GSM mobile phones placed in close contact with the defibrillator can and precordium under several call conditions, no electromagnetic interference was observed. One patient had non-sustained ventricular tachycardia during testing that was detected by the defibrillator.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency and SAR/exposure levels not reported in abstract",
    "Short exposure durations (e.g., 15 seconds) and limited test scenarios described",
    "Only three GSM phone models tested (one used in a single case)",
    "Therapies were deactivated and sensitivities set to maximal parameters, which may not reflect typical clinical settings"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "GSM",
    "mobile phone",
    "radiofrequency",
    "electromagnetic interference",
    "implantable cardioverter defibrillator",
    "pacemaker inhibition",
    "in vivo"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.78,
      "reason": "Tests for electromagnetic interference from GSM mobile phones on implantable defibrillators."
    },
    {
      "slug": "medical-implants",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "In-vivo compatibility testing between RF exposure and implantable cardioverter defibrillators."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/s0300-8932(97)73287-1
PubMed: 9417561

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