• Seth J Seidman, Randall Brockman, Brian Marc Lewis, Joshua Guag, Mitchell J Shein, Wesley J Clement, James Kippola, Dennis Digby, Catherine Barber, and Dan Huntwork.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA. seidman@fda.hhs.gov
• Heart Rhythm. 2010 Jan 1; 7 (1): 99-107.

BackgroundThe use of radiofrequency identification (RFID) systems is expanding and highlights the need to address electromagnetic interference (EMI) to implantable pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).ObjectiveThis study sought to examine the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) between RFID readers and implantable pacemakers or ICDs.MethodsDuring in vitro testing, 15 implantable pacemakers and 15 ICDs were exposed to 13 passive RFID readers in 3 frequency bands: 134 kHz (low frequency [LF]), 13.56 MHz (high frequency [HF]), and 915 MHz (ultra high frequency [UHF]).ResultsWhile being exposed to LF RFID, a reaction was observed for 67% of all pacemaker tests (maximum distance 60 cm) and 47% of all ICD tests (maximum distance 40 cm). During HF RFID exposure, a reaction was observed for 6% of all pacemaker tests (maximum distance 22.5 cm) and 1% of all ICD tests (maximum distance 7.5 cm). For both pacemakers and ICDs, no reactions were observed during exposure to UHF RFID or continuous-wave RFID. Pacemakers and ICDs were most susceptible to modulated LF RFID readers.ConclusionAlthough there is in vitro testing evidence for concern for implantable pacemaker and ICD EMI at LF and HF, the FDA has not received any incident reports of pacemaker or ICD EMI caused by any RFID system. We do not believe the current situation reveals an urgent public health risk.

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