Possibilities and safety of physiotherapy in patients with implanted cardiac devices

Abstract

Widespread implantation of cardiac devices, i.e. cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter-defibrillators and cardiac resynchronisation devices improved patients survival. It has resulted in increase in number of ageing patients with cardiac devices who need physiotherapeutic treatment due to accompanied comorbidities. Hence the study of the interaction between functions of cardiac devices and physiotherapeutic treatment techniques is particularly relevant. The use and safety of physiotherapeutic treatment techniques producing electromagnetic field which in turn eventually cause harm of the cardiac devices are being discussed in present review article. The possible adverse effects of such interaction are abrupt failure to stimulate or triggering of shock therapy with consequent arrhythmic events including cardiac arrest. The technical characteristics particularly associated with electromagnetic interference are discussed here in detail. The attention is also payed to analysis of possible causes and effects of electromagnetic interference and safety measures as well.