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Can bioimpedance body composition analysis interfere with implanted cardiac devices like pacemakers or defibrillators?
Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is a commonly used method to estimate body composition by sending a low-level electrical current through the body. Manufacturers have traditionally recommended that patients with implanted cardiac devices like pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), or cardiac resynchronisation therapy devices (CRT-Ds) avoid BIA due to concerns about potential interference.
However, a small study published in 2012 evaluated 20 patients with heart failure who had either an ICD or CRT-D device implanted. The researchers performed BIA on these patients while monitoring their devices in real time. They found no evidence of any interference from the BIA, including no telemetry disruption, no oversensing on the device leads, and no symptoms experienced by the patients.
While this study suggests BIA may be safe in patients with certain cardiac implants, the researchers noted that further confirmatory studies with larger patient groups are still needed. As always, it’s best to consult your doctor or cardiac electrophysiologist before undergoing any procedures or tests if you have an implanted cardiac device.
Category: Implantable Devices
If you have an ICD and receive a brief electric shock from UK mains (240v), and have no visible injuries what is the protocol and possible outcome to the ICD/lead?
There is theoretically a risk of damage to the ICD/lead from an electric shock from UK mains buts it’s extremely unlikely and it would be classed as a very low risk.Â
This is because the current tends not to pass through the ICD/lead but passes through the body to the ground using the shortest and quickest route e.g. hand, up the arm, down the torso, and out through the leg. The majority of devices also have circuitry built in to protect them against electrical surges.Â
The advice would be to go to the hospital if a person was feeling unwell, otherwise, it would be recommended that a person contact their local device clinic and request a device check which could be performed as a remote transmission. This would pick up on any rare issues caused and provide reassurance.
Category: Implantable Devices
How do doctors decide if I am fit to drive?
Doctors use the following guidelines from the DVLA to help them assess whether someone is medically fit to drive.
DVLA Guidelines for assessing fitness to drive for medical professionals
Category: Implantable Devices
Can the AED itself make a mistake?
It is unlikely. Studies show that AEDs interpret the victim’s heart rhythm more quickly and accurately than many trained emergency professionals. If the AED determines that no shock is needed, it will not allow a shock to be given.
Category: Cardiac Arrest
Can a non-medical person make a mistake when using an AED?
AEDs are safe to use by anyone who has been shown how to use them.
The AED’s voice guides the rescuer through the steps involved in saving someone; for example, “apply pads to patient’s bare chest” (the pads themselves have pictures of where they should be placed) and “press red shock button.” Furthermore, safeguards have been designed into the unit precisely so that non-medical responders can’t use the AED to shock someone who doesn’t need a shock.
Category: Cardiac Arrest
Self Help
History
Media
CPR
Defibrillators
Children
Intimacy
DVLA
Section 88
Treatment
Sequelae
Practical Issues
Medications
Implantable Devices
Driving
Insurance
Cardiac Arrest
Sports
Electromagnetic interference
Shock
Work
Travelling
Can bioimpedance body composition analysis interfere with implanted cardiac devices like pacemakers or defibrillators?
Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is a commonly used method to estimate body composition by sending a low-level electrical current through the body. Manufacturers have traditionally recommended that patients with implanted cardiac devices like pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), or cardiac resynchronisation therapy devices (CRT-Ds) avoid BIA due to concerns about potential interference.
However, a small study published in 2012 evaluated 20 patients with heart failure who had either an ICD or CRT-D device implanted. The researchers performed BIA on these patients while monitoring their devices in real time. They found no evidence of any interference from the BIA, including no telemetry disruption, no oversensing on the device leads, and no symptoms experienced by the patients.
While this study suggests BIA may be safe in patients with certain cardiac implants, the researchers noted that further confirmatory studies with larger patient groups are still needed. As always, it’s best to consult your doctor or cardiac electrophysiologist before undergoing any procedures or tests if you have an implanted cardiac device.
Category: Implantable DevicesIf you have an ICD and receive a brief electric shock from UK mains (240v), and have no visible injuries what is the protocol and possible outcome to the ICD/lead?
There is theoretically a risk of damage to the ICD/lead from an electric shock from UK mains buts it’s extremely unlikely and it would be classed as a very low risk.Â
This is because the current tends not to pass through the ICD/lead but passes through the body to the ground using the shortest and quickest route e.g. hand, up the arm, down the torso, and out through the leg. The majority of devices also have circuitry built in to protect them against electrical surges.Â
The advice would be to go to the hospital if a person was feeling unwell, otherwise, it would be recommended that a person contact their local device clinic and request a device check which could be performed as a remote transmission. This would pick up on any rare issues caused and provide reassurance.
Category: Implantable DevicesHow do doctors decide if I am fit to drive?
Doctors use the following guidelines from the DVLA to help them assess whether someone is medically fit to drive.
DVLA Guidelines for assessing fitness to drive for medical professionals
Category: Implantable DevicesCan the AED itself make a mistake?
It is unlikely. Studies show that AEDs interpret the victim’s heart rhythm more quickly and accurately than many trained emergency professionals. If the AED determines that no shock is needed, it will not allow a shock to be given.
Category: Cardiac ArrestCan a non-medical person make a mistake when using an AED?
AEDs are safe to use by anyone who has been shown how to use them.
The AED’s voice guides the rescuer through the steps involved in saving someone; for example, “apply pads to patient’s bare chest” (the pads themselves have pictures of where they should be placed) and “press red shock button.” Furthermore, safeguards have been designed into the unit precisely so that non-medical responders can’t use the AED to shock someone who doesn’t need a shock.
Category: Cardiac Arrest