15 General Safety Instructions
Possible Electromagnetic Complications
Electromagnetic
interference (EMI)
Any implant can be sensitive to interference, for example, when external signals
are sensed as intrinsic rhythm or if measurements prevent rate adaptation.
• BIOTRONIK implants have been designed so that their susceptibility to EMI is
minimal.
• Due to the intensity and variety of EMI, there is no guarantee for safety. It is gen-
erally assumed that EMI produces only minor symptoms in patients - if any.
• Depending on the pacing mode and the type of interference, sources of interfer-
ence may lead to pulse inhibition or triggering, an increase in the sensor-
dependent pacing rate or fixed-rate pacing.
• Under unfavorable conditions, for example during diagnostic or therapeutic
procedures, the interference sources may induce such a high level of energy
into the pacing system that the implant or cardiac tissue around the lead tip is
damaged.
Implant behavior
in case of EMI
Upon exceeding the interference rate, the implant switches to another pacing
mode. Depending on whether the interference occurs in one chamber or both
chambers, the implant switches to the A00(R), V00(R) or D00(R) mode for the dura-
tion of the interference.
Static magnetic fields The Reed contact in the pacemaker closes beginning at a field strength of 1.5 tesla.
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