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[Changes in pacemakers and the wearers of pacemakers as a result of the use of different electromagnetic energy sources].

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Vergassola R, Borgioli A, Chiodi L, Rossi D, Fazi A, Lebrun E, Vaccari M · 1994

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Modern pacemakers showed no interference from medical electromagnetic devices, but this 1994 study predates today's wireless technology landscape.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Italian researchers tested whether various medical electromagnetic devices could interfere with pacemakers in 31 patients and laboratory animals. They found no interference from short-wave diathermy, electrosurgical knives, TENS units, or radiofrequency ablation equipment. This suggests that modern pacemakers are well-shielded against electromagnetic interference from medical devices.

Why This Matters

This 1994 study provides reassuring evidence about pacemaker safety around medical electromagnetic equipment, but it's important to understand its limitations in today's context. The research focused specifically on medical-grade devices used in controlled clinical settings, not the consumer electronics we encounter daily. While the findings suggest pacemaker manufacturers had already improved electromagnetic shielding by the 1990s, our EMF environment has changed dramatically since then. The radiofrequency landscape now includes WiFi, Bluetooth, 4G, 5G, and countless wireless devices that weren't part of this study's scope. What this means for you is that while medical procedures may pose less risk than once feared, questions remain about everyday EMF exposure for people with pacemakers.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

We have studied the effects of various electromagnetic sources (short-wave diathermy, electrosurgical knives, electrotherapy and radiofrequencies) on both humans and animals.

We performed the following tests: (a) Short-wave diathermy: various electrode positions in pigs and ...

The results of the studies were completely negative and, therefore, we are convinced that today's pa...

Cite This Study
Vergassola R, Borgioli A, Chiodi L, Rossi D, Fazi A, Lebrun E, Vaccari M (1994). [Changes in pacemakers and the wearers of pacemakers as a result of the use of different electromagnetic energy sources]. Minerva Cardioangiol 42(1-2):27-32, 1994.
Show BibTeX
@article{r_1994_changes_in_pacemakers_and_2657,
  author = {Vergassola R and Borgioli A and Chiodi L and Rossi D and Fazi A and Lebrun E and Vaccari M},
  title = {[Changes in pacemakers and the wearers of pacemakers as a result of the use of different electromagnetic energy sources].},
  year = {1994},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8022542/},
}
PubMed: 8022542

Cited By (5 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

A 1994 Italian study tested 31 pacemaker patients and found no interference from common medical electromagnetic devices including short-wave diathermy, electrosurgical equipment, TENS units, and radiofrequency ablation tools. Modern pacemakers appear well-shielded against medical device interference.
Research testing electromagnetic medical devices on 31 pacemaker patients found no interference or safety issues. Short-wave diathermy and other electromagnetic therapies showed no negative effects, suggesting modern pacemakers are reliably protected from these medical electromagnetic sources.
A study specifically testing TENS units on pacemaker patients found no interference or malfunction. The research concluded that modern pacemakers are much more reliable and less susceptible to electromagnetic interference from devices like TENS units than older models.
Italian researchers tested electrosurgical equipment on 31 pacemaker patients and laboratory animals with no interference detected. The study concluded that today's pacemakers are well-shielded and much less subject to electromagnetic interference from surgical devices than previous generations.
A comprehensive study testing various electromagnetic medical devices found no interference with modern pacemakers in 31 patients. Researchers concluded that current pacemakers are much more reliable and better protected against electromagnetic interference than older models.