A recent study completed by a global nonprofit medical research organization has concluded there is no electromagnetic interference risk for patients with implanted cardiac devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators, who drive or ride in an electric car.
The study, titled “Hybrid Cars and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators: Is it Safe?” was organized by the Mayo Clinic and is reportedly the first study to address the interaction between implanted cardiac devices and electric cars.
According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers measured electric and magnetic fields in six distinct areas of a 2012 Toyota Prius hybrid— the driver’s seat, front passenger seat, left and right rear passenger seats and behind and in front of the outside of the car—at several maintained speeds and during acceleration and deceleration. The effects of these electric and magnetic fields were then evaluated while 30 participants with implanted devices rotated positions throughout the car.
Though the study results suggested the hybrid car tested appears to be safe for patients with implanted devices, Luis R. Scott, M.D., Cardiologist, and Fernando Tondato, M.D., Cardiology Fellow, lead researchers in the study, have suggested more research should be done to 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,” Dr. Scott said.
For more information, visit Mayo Clinic.
