Publications (47) View all
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Article: Experimental study of neutron-induced soft errors in modern cardiac pacemakers.
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ABSTRACT: Density of circuits and size reduction of microelectronic devices increase the sensitivity to natural terrestrial radiation environment. Atmospheric particles, mainly neutrons can cause non-destructive or destructive failures in most electronic circuits, including volatile static memories. The failure occurrence probability of a soft error in real life is very low. However, in the last few years, a safety alert had to be communicated to the physicians for a few defibrillator models potentially affected by background levels of atmospheric ionizing cosmic radiation. The aim of this study was to test in vitro a variety of currently available pacemakers exposed to experimental neutron irradiation. The neutron irradiation at high flux fast neutron beam was performed using Cyclone facility, with the cyclotron of the University of Leuven, Belgium. The neutron energy spectrum was obtained with a peak around 20 mega-electron volt (MeV) energy range from 3 to 50 MeV, and tests were performed at three fluence levels: 1E9, 5E9, and 1E10 neutrons/cm(2). A total of 14 tests were conducted on 14 devices from four manufacturers. Following the test, the devices were functioning normally in eight cases. In six cases, the response at interrogation was a message on the programmer screen announcing an electrical reset. In all of these cases, the programmer reset command was activated and immediately restored normal functioning and programmability. For a same model, the electrical reset was present at high fluence (1E10 or/and 5E9 n/cm²) and not at the lower level (1E9 n/cm²). Obvious differences among manufacturers were shown in this small sample study. This experiment shows the sensibility of modern pacemakers to neutron-induced soft errors and effectiveness of backup reversion in response to irradiation. The lower neutron fluence associated with a positive test was used to propose the calculation of the very low soft error rate for the tested devices in real-life atmospheric radiation.Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology 08/2011; 33(1):19-25. · 1.17 Impact Factor -
Article: Interelectrode (Accufix) lead fracture.
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ABSTRACT: An interelectrode fracture was diagnosed 7 years after the implantation of an Accufix lead. The lead body separated from the tip with the helix screwed into the atrial wall. The retention wire was intact and may have contributed to the lead rupture.Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology 12/1999; 22(11):1705-6. · 1.35 Impact Factor -
Article: Electromagnetic interference of external pacemakers by walkie-talkies and digital cellular phones: experimental study.
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ABSTRACT: A number of experimental and clinical studies have documented the risk potential of interference with implanted pacemakers by various types of cellular phones. Radiofrequency susceptibility of external medical equipment has also been reported in experimental studies. The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate electromagnetic interference of external pacemakers by walkie-talkies and digital cellular telephones. External bipolar pacing was monitored using a digital oscilloscope to record pacemaker pulses and electromagnetic interference separately. Tests with the walkie-talkie, Private Mobile Radio (PMR) (160 MHz, 2.5 W) were conducted during the calling phase. Tests with the cellular phones, global system for mobile communications (GSM) (900 MHz, 2 W) and Digital Cellular System (DCS) (1,800 MHz, 1 W) were conducted in the test mode. Nine widely used external pacemakers from four manufacturers were tested. Various disturbances including pacing inhibition and asynchronous pacing were observed in eight pacemakers by the PMR, in four by the GSM phone, and in two by the DCS phone. The maximum distance that interference persisted ranged from 10-200 cm. This experimental study shows a potential risk of interference of external pacemakers by walkie-talkies and cellular digital phones. Appropriate warnings should be issued against the potentially serious risks of using communication devices in the vicinity of acutely ill patients treated with temporary transvenous cardiac pacemakers.Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology 05/1999; 22(4 Pt 1):588-93. · 1.35 Impact Factor -
Article: [Utilization of transcutaneous anesthetics during heart catheterization].
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ABSTRACT: Assess the efficacy of an anesthetic cream for cardiac catheterization. Percutaneous anesthesia was studied in a series of 100 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. The anesthesia was composed with an eutetic mixture of local anesthetics and applied precisely over the puncture area in a randomized controlled study. After admission, patients were randomized into two groups: 50 patients received lidocaine infiltration and 50 patients received associated cream and infiltration. Percutaneous anesthesia was to be applied 2 hours before entering the operating room. No complication developed with this cream combined with lidocaine infiltration. Serum concentration indicated very low levels which were very well tolerated. Patient comfort improved with the anesthetic cream-lidocaine infiltration association. The use of an anesthetic cream is safe and effective, especially combined with lidocaine infiltration during cardiac catheterization. Cost is high and the association might be reserved for special indications (obesity, children).La Presse Médicale 11/1998; 27(30):1516-8. · 0.67 Impact Factor -
Article: Surgical interruption of a left inferior vena cava following the transfemoral implantation of a permanent pacing lead.
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ABSTRACT: This report describes the case of a patient in whom, after an unsuccessful attempt through the subclavian vein, a permanent pacing lead was inserted through the femoral vein and a left inferior vena cava with azygos continuation. The procedure was followed 4 months later by a pulmonary embolism complicating a right femoroiliac thrombosis. The patient was successfully treated by a percutaneous lead extraction procedure combined with an inferior vena caval surgical interruption.Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology 06/1997; 20(5 Pt 1):1365-6. · 1.35 Impact Factor
