Journal of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery

Background: It has been reported that electromagnetic interference (EMI) occurs in abdominal cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIEDs) caused by tablets and laptops nearby. The actual number of patients with abdominal CIEDs remains unknown in Japan as well as frequency and causes of EMI.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the number of patients with abdominal CIEDs and incidence of EMI nationwide.

Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey on the number of patients with abdominal CIEDs, incidence of magnet response, and the situation when EMI occurred at major institutions in Japan. Such events could threaten either pediatric or adult patients with congenital heart disease. The collected data were analyzed.

Results: We received survey responses from 119 institutions all over this country. The total number of abdominal CIEDs was 2411. Magnet response was reported by 11 institutions (9.2%), seen in 31 patients (1.3%). The CIED types affected by magnet response were pacemakers in 30 (98.7%) and implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) in one patient (1.3%). EMI occurred at school, home, and unknown in 11 (35.5%), 3 (9.7%), and 17 patients (54.8%), respectively. The probable causes were internal speakers in 7 (22.5%), tablet case magnets in 2 (6.5%), and otherwise unknown in 22 patients (71.0%). One patient experienced magnet response when a computer was turned on. Neither symptom related to magnet response, adverse events such as ventricular arrhythmia induction or ICD therapy inhibition were reported.

Conclusion: In Japan, 1% of 2411 patients with abdominal CIEDs had magnet response caused by tablet cases, tablets, and laptops. The event might have caused adverse events, and the issue should be brought to the attention of healthcare professionals and patients. Additionally, we highly suspect that the actual incidence of magnet response should be high than the figure indicated in this survey related to various study limitations.