Potential interference of small neodymium magnets with cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators
Received 31 August 2006; accepted 8 September 2006. published online 18 September 2006.
Background
Magnetic fields may interfere with the function of cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, which are small in size but produce strong magnetic fields, have become widely available in recent years. Therefore, NdFeB magnets may be associated with an emerging risk of device interference.
Objective
We conducted a clinical study to evaluate the potential of small NdFeB magnets to interfere with cardiac pacemakers and ICDs.
Methods
The effect of four NdFeB magnets (two spherical magnets 8 and 10 mm in diameter, a necklace made of 45 spherical magnets, and a magnetic name tag) was tested in forty-one ambulatory patients with a pacemaker and 29 patients with an ICD. The maximum distance at which the magnetic switch of a device was influenced was observed.
Results
Magnetic interference was observed in all patients. The maximum distance resulting in device interference was 3 cm. No significant differences were found with respect to device manufacturer and device types.
Conclusion
Small NdFeB magnets may cause interference with cardiac pacemakers and ICDs. Patients should be cautioned about the interference risk associated with NdFeB magnets during daily life.
⁎Cardiovascular Center, Cardiology, University Hospital, Zurich
†Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH, Zurich
‡Federal Office of Public Health, Berne, Switzerland.
Address reprint requests and correspondence: Thomas Wolber, M.D., Cardiovascular Center, Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistr. 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
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