TY - JOUR
T1 - Implanted cardiac devices are reliably detected by commercially available metal detectors
AU - Holm, Katja Fiedler
AU - Hjortshøj, Søren
AU - Pehrson, Steen
AU - Svendsen, Jesper Hastrup
AU - Riahi, Sam
PY - 2013/10
Y1 - 2013/10
N2 - Abstract Objective. Explosions of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs) (pacemakers, defibrillators, and loop recorders) are a well-recognized problem during cremation, due to lithium-iodine batteries. In addition, burial of the deceased with a CIED can present a potential risk for environmental contamination. Therefore, detection of CIEDs in the deceased would be of value. This study evaluated a commercially available metal detector for detecting CIEDs. Design. Observational study including pacemaker patients (n = 70) and a control group without pacemaker (n = 95). The investigational device was a hand-held metal detector for detecting metal or electricity wiring. Results. The metal detector detected the pacemaker in all pacemaker patients and thus exhibited a sensitivity of 100%. The specificity of the metal detector was 86%, and the negative predictive value was 100%. Thirteen individuals without pacemakers were falsely identified as having an implanted device due to implanted prosthetic material or elements of clothing. Conclusion. A simple hand-held metal detector may detect CIEDs with a high sensitivity. It may be of value in detecting CIEDs in deceased persons before burial or cremation. Any signal detected by the metal detector should prompt further investigation of the body and patient files.
AB - Abstract Objective. Explosions of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs) (pacemakers, defibrillators, and loop recorders) are a well-recognized problem during cremation, due to lithium-iodine batteries. In addition, burial of the deceased with a CIED can present a potential risk for environmental contamination. Therefore, detection of CIEDs in the deceased would be of value. This study evaluated a commercially available metal detector for detecting CIEDs. Design. Observational study including pacemaker patients (n = 70) and a control group without pacemaker (n = 95). The investigational device was a hand-held metal detector for detecting metal or electricity wiring. Results. The metal detector detected the pacemaker in all pacemaker patients and thus exhibited a sensitivity of 100%. The specificity of the metal detector was 86%, and the negative predictive value was 100%. Thirteen individuals without pacemakers were falsely identified as having an implanted device due to implanted prosthetic material or elements of clothing. Conclusion. A simple hand-held metal detector may detect CIEDs with a high sensitivity. It may be of value in detecting CIEDs in deceased persons before burial or cremation. Any signal detected by the metal detector should prompt further investigation of the body and patient files.
U2 - 10.3109/14017431.2013.823516
DO - 10.3109/14017431.2013.823516
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 23937322
SN - 1401-7431
VL - 47
SP - 271
EP - 274
JO - Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal
JF - Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal
IS - 5
ER -