High levels of Radiation from CT May Interfere with Pacemakers and ICDs
A recent article, authored by McCollough et al. published in Radiology, June 2007, reports that high levels of radiation from computed tomography scans may interfere with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) circuits.
In the study, 20 out of 21 devices exposed to maximum radiation doses and 17 out of 20 exposed to normal CT radiation doses experienced operational abnormalities (extraneous or missed pulses; early or late pulses). These effects can be benign or potentially problematic for the patient. The effects stopped as soon as the radiation was turned off; in most cases programming was not altered.
The FDA is currently looking into the problem to assess its clinical significance and prevalence. Until more data is available to provide clear recommendations for examining patients with these devices, radiologists should be aware of the potential for problems.
Click here to read the original paper published in Radiology.