A Mayo Clinic study has concluded that patients with implanted cardiac devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators can safely drive or ride in an electric car without risk of electromagnetic interference (EMI).

The study, titled “Hybrid Cars and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators: Is It Safe?” is the first of its kind to address the interaction between these devices and electric cars. It will be presented at the 2013 American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session in San Francisco on March 9.

In some cases, implanted devices may sense signals from electrical or magnetic objects and misinterpreted them as potential distress coming from the patient’s heart.

The increasing prevalence of electric and hybrid cars, one of the fastest growing segments of the American automotive industry, prompted Mayo Clinic cardiac investigators to study the potential risk of the effects of EMI on patients with implantable devices. Mayo Clinic researchers used implantable devices from the three major manufacturers and a 2012 Toyota Prius hybrid in the study.

Electric and magnetic fields were measured in six positions: from the driver’s seat, front passenger seat, the left and right rear seats and in front of and behind the car from the outside. Each position was evaluated at different speeds: 30 mph, 60 mph and at variable speeds of acceleration and deceleration.

The 30 study participants with implanted devices were continuously monitored while rotating positions in the car and driving the car, with a particular focus on real-time detection of any interruption in the normal functionality of their devices.

Luis R. Scott, M.D., Cardiologist, and Fernando Tondato, M.D., Cardiology Fellow, both of Mayo Clinic in Arizona and the study’s lead investigators, called for additional study. They said that although the study results revealed that the car tested did not generate clinically relevant amounts of EMI and that the car is safe for patients with implanted devices, more research will help define and solidify the results. “Further studies may be necessary to evaluate the interaction between implantable devices and other models of hybrid or electric cars,” says Dr. Scott.

The American College of Cardiology named a poster that summarizes the study and will be presented at the conference, as a 2013 “Best Fellows In Training (FIT) Poster,” which represents the top 3 percent scoring percentile of abstracts accepted for presentation at the conference.

The study was funded by the Mayo Clinic Center for Translational Science Activities.

Users search for:

prius v 2014,magnetic field created by toyota prius plug-in,smart start car pacemaker,toyota smart start and pacemaker mayo.

Related posts:

• Toyota Yaris Hybrid 2013
  The new 2013 Toyota Yaris Hybrid vehicle represents a new and unique offer in Europe's highest sales volume segment, and will bring the benefits of fu...
• Tesla to launch a more affordable EV in the next 3-4 years
  Tesla is one of the best electric vehicle manufacturers on the world when it comes to technology. The carmaker makes the most technologically advanced...
• Tesla wants to double Model S EVs week production by late 2014
  Tesla Motors Inc. (TSLA) is building Model S electric sedans faster than its initial 400-a-week goal as demand and the company's production skills inc...
• Nissan will bring back its Datsun brand with 2014 Datsun GO
  The Japanese automaker wants to bring back its Datsun brand that helped Nissan secure strong Western markets. Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn, hopes that thi...
• 2013 Vauxhall Ampera leads at the ITU Triathlon
  The 2013 Vauxhall Ampera has been chosen to be the official lead car at the Grand Final of the ITU World Triathlon Series 2013 in London, from Septemb...