Influence of electromagnetic fields on function of automated external defibrillators.

Objectives: In this study, the authors tested whether electromagnetic interference (EMI) is able to impair correct electrocardiogram analysis and produce false-positive shock advice from automated external defibrillators (AEDs) when the true rhythm is sinus.

Methods: Nineteen healthy subjects were used to test five AEDs available on the Austrian market in a prospective, open, and sequence-randomized study. The primary outcome variable was the absolute number of shocks advised in the presence of EMI.