Electromagnetic Interference in Implantable Defibrillators in Single-Engine Fixed-Wing Aircraft.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the possible electromagnetic interferences (EMI) in the single-engine fixed-wing aircraft environment with implantable cardio-defibrillators (ICDs). Our hypothesis is that EMI in the cockpit of a single-engine fixed-wing aircraft does not result in erroneous detection of arrhythmias and the subsequent delivery of an inappropriate device therapy. METHODS: ICD devices of four different manufacturers, incorporated in a thorax phantom, were transported in a Piper Dakota Aircraft with ICAO type designator P28B during several flights. The devices under test were programmed to the most sensitive settings for detection of electromagnetic signals from their environment. After the final flight the devices under test were interrogated with the dedicated programmers in order to analyze the number of tachycardias detected. RESULTS: Cumulative registration time of the devices under test was 11,392 min, with a mean of 2848 min per device. The registration from each one of the devices did not show any detectable "tachycardia" or subsequent inappropriate device therapy. This indicates that no external signals, which could be originating from electromagnetic fields from the aircraft's avionics, were detected by the devices under test. CONCLUSION: During transport in the cockpit of a single-engine fixed-wing aircraft, the tested ICDs did not show any signs of being affected by electromagnetic fields originating from the avionics of the aircraft. This current study indicates that EMI is not a potential safety issue for transportation of passengers with an ICD implanted in a single-engine fixed-wing aircraft.de Rotte AAJ, van der Kemp P, Mundy PA, Rienks R, de Rotte AA. Electromagnetic interference in implantable defibrillators in single-engine fixed-wing aircraft. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(1):52-55.

Electromagnetic interference in pacemakers in single-engine fixed-wing aircraft: a European perspective.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible interference by avionics with cardiac pacemakers of aircrew or passengers/patients in single-engine fixed-wing aircraft. Pacemakers which are implanted in patients are in part electromagnetic sensors and can be subject to interference from various external electromagnetic sources. Although modern (chip-based) pacemakers are effectively shielded from electromagnetic interference (EMI), the magnitude of electromagnetic radiation in cockpits of general aviation aircraft is higher and of a different nature than experienced in daily life. An increasing number of pacemaker-bearing individuals are being transported by air. However, the possible EMI with modern types of pacemakers during flight has not been investigated until now. METHOD: In order to evaluate the effect of EMI on five modern types of pacemakers in the cockpit environment of a single-engine fixed-wing aircraft, we have subjected the pacemakers, each implanted into an artificial thorax, to a series of test flights. Each pacemaker was equipped with data logging capabilities which were used for detection of possible EMI. After each flight, the pacemakers were examined by means of the dedicated programmers. In addition, two single lead ventricular pacemakers (VVI) were analyzed by means of beat-to-beat Holter recordings during two separate flights. This enabled an exact analysis of pacemaker function and of possible EMI. RESULTS: No effect of EMI could be detected in any of the pacemakers by interrogating their internal counters after the test flights. In addition, no signs of EMI could be detected on the Holter recordings of the VVI pacemakers. CONCLUSION: We conclude that modern pacemakers are unaffected by EMI in the cockpit environment of single-engine fixed-wing aircraft.