By Tarun Sai LomteApr 20 2023Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLM In a recent study published in the Europace Journal, researchers examined electromagnetic interference risk for patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices from high-power chargers for electric vehicles .
Studies have reported on the vulnerability of CIEDs to EMI, which can cause spontaneous reprogramming, pacing inhibition, mode switching, or inappropriate detection/treatment of tachycardia. About the study In the present study, researchers investigated the potential risk of EMI due to high-power EV charging in patients with CIEDs. Patients attending routine device follow-ups were asked to participate. Inclusion criteria included transvenous devices, such as PMs, ICDs, subcutaneous ICDs , and CRT systems.
Six charging stations delivering 300 to 350 kW were used. The current delivered for each EV was measured per charge. Magnetic and electric fields were measured along the cable and the charging column. After charging, CIEDs were interrogated to determine if any mode switching or spurious tachycardia detection occurred, and CIEDs were re-configured to previous settings.
The researchers did not detect events of EMI. Specifically, they did not observe oversensing, pacing inhibition, spontaneous reprogramming, or spurious tachycardia detection. Therefore, the risk of EMI was zero out of 130 patient-based and 561 charge-based analyses.