CT Scans May Cause Electronic Medical Devices to Malfunction, FDA Warns


21 july 2008--Computed tomography scans may cause certain electronic medical devices to malfunction, the FDA has warned in a public health advisory.
The agency says it has received a "small number of reports" involving interference with devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, and implantable and external infusion pumps. Adverse events include accidental stimuli from neurostimulators, malfunctions of insulin infusion pumps, and temporary changes in pacemaker pulse rates. No patient deaths have been reported.
The agency notes that the increase in reported events may be due to greater use of CT scans, higher radiation doses emitted by newer CT machines, more patients wearing medical devices, or improved reporting systems.