Implantable cardioverter defibrillators in electric and magnetic fields of 400 kV power lines.

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy has increased in Western countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the function of ICDs using a human-shaped phantom in electric and magnetic fields of 400 kV power lines.

Methods: The phantom was used in the following manner: isolated from the ground, earthed from a foot, or earthed from a hand.

Results: We performed 37 ICD tests using 10 different ICD devices. When the electric fields varied from 6.8 kV/m to 7.5 kV/m (humidity 70.5%) and the magnetic field was 2.0 μT, one of the ICDs tested recorded 258 ventricular beats/min when a simulated heart signal was applied to ICD electrodes. When the exposure was 5.1 kV/m, the same ICD had a similar disturbance; however, in a 0.9 kV/m field, it worked correctly.

Conclusions: Consequently, no effect on ICDs functioning was observed up to 0.9 kV/m, while anomalous behavior in some conditions was observed when levels exceeded 5.1 kV/m; ICD malfunctioning seems possible within 11.5 m from 400 kV power lines or in conditions inducing exposures exceeding 5 kV/m. Further development of this research field is needed.