[Changes in pacemakers and the wearers of pacemakers as a result of the use of different electromagnetic energy sources].
Vergassola R, Borgioli A, Chiodi L, Rossi D, Fazi A, Lebrun E, Vaccari M · 1994
View Original AbstractModern pacemakers showed no interference from medical electromagnetic devices, but this 1994 study predates today's wireless technology landscape.
Plain English Summary
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...
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/},
}