Swimming Pools Causing Electromagnetic Interference on Cardiac Devices: A Case Series

Electromagnetic interference (EMI), also called radiofrequency interference, is unwanted electromagnetic signals from extracardiac sources that are detected by cardiac pacemakers or defibrillators, potentially affecting device therapies. After device implantation, patients are educated about the ris...

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Main Authors: Lisa M. Conte, Adam J. Kisling, Matthew Needleman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American College of Physicians 2024-06-01
Series:Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
Online Access:https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.0072
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author Lisa M. Conte
Adam J. Kisling
Matthew Needleman
author_facet Lisa M. Conte
Adam J. Kisling
Matthew Needleman
author_sort Lisa M. Conte
collection DOAJ
description Electromagnetic interference (EMI), also called radiofrequency interference, is unwanted electromagnetic signals from extracardiac sources that are detected by cardiac pacemakers or defibrillators, potentially affecting device therapies. After device implantation, patients are educated about the risks for EMI from sources like cell phones or laptops, but swimming pools often are not included in this discussion. We report 2 cases of EMI from swimming pools that resulted in inappropriate device therapies. Although no catastrophic events occurred in these cases, EMI has the potential to cause changes in device therapy that may lead to devastating clinical outcomes.
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series Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
spelling doaj-art-e5d5fb022b9b4eed8dd6322ce0e857552025-08-20T02:27:45ZengAmerican College of PhysiciansAnnals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases2767-76642024-06-013610.7326/aimcc.2024.0072Swimming Pools Causing Electromagnetic Interference on Cardiac Devices: A Case SeriesLisa M. Conte0Adam J. Kisling1Matthew Needleman21Department of Cardiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland1Department of Cardiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland2Department of Cardiology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MarylandElectromagnetic interference (EMI), also called radiofrequency interference, is unwanted electromagnetic signals from extracardiac sources that are detected by cardiac pacemakers or defibrillators, potentially affecting device therapies. After device implantation, patients are educated about the risks for EMI from sources like cell phones or laptops, but swimming pools often are not included in this discussion. We report 2 cases of EMI from swimming pools that resulted in inappropriate device therapies. Although no catastrophic events occurred in these cases, EMI has the potential to cause changes in device therapy that may lead to devastating clinical outcomes.https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.0072
spellingShingle Lisa M. Conte
Adam J. Kisling
Matthew Needleman
Swimming Pools Causing Electromagnetic Interference on Cardiac Devices: A Case Series
Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
title Swimming Pools Causing Electromagnetic Interference on Cardiac Devices: A Case Series
title_full Swimming Pools Causing Electromagnetic Interference on Cardiac Devices: A Case Series
title_fullStr Swimming Pools Causing Electromagnetic Interference on Cardiac Devices: A Case Series
title_full_unstemmed Swimming Pools Causing Electromagnetic Interference on Cardiac Devices: A Case Series
title_short Swimming Pools Causing Electromagnetic Interference on Cardiac Devices: A Case Series
title_sort swimming pools causing electromagnetic interference on cardiac devices a case series
url https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.0072
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