Resetting of DDD Pacemakers Due to EMI

Abstract
Multiprogrammable pacemaker have long been subject to inappropriate reprogramming and electromagnetic interference (EMI). A limited clinical experience with DDD pacing systems precludes the significance of such phenomena in these units. Since August 1981, in a series of 140 DDD systems, certain units demonstrated consistent and reproducible resetting to the hack‐up modes caused by electrocautery. One unit was permanently reset to the VOO mode. These observations suggest the need for renewed caution at the time of surgery; they also underscore the importance of a thorough understanding of any DDD system and careful follow‐up so that such phenomena will not be misinterpreted as pacemaker failure, resulting in erroneous pacemaker removal.

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