April 4, 2008­–­WASHINGTON, D.C.–Digital media players are safe for use by patients with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) according to new research published in the April issue of the Heart Rhythm Journal. Despite recent concerns raised about the potential for dangerous interactions between digital media players and implantable cardiac rhythm devices, new studies show there is no evidence of electromagnetic interference between digital media players and the intrinsic function of pacemakers and ICDs.

A preliminary study publicized in May 2007 at the Heart Rhythm Society’s 28th Annual Scientific Sessions, reported that iPods cause pacemaker interference and, in one case, caused a device to stop functioning. Since the initial report was made, further research has been conducted to better understand the potential interference and if this interaction could impact device functionality in patients.

Kathleen Skenesky – Krum, TX – 58 at the time of the event (April 2, 2005)

I am a nurse and was working that night. (I worked nights.) I was on my way to get ice for a patient, and the next thing I knew it was a week later. I was found by a co-worker, blue and with a big gash in my head (from falling). They called a “code” and from the accounts that I have gotten, they did CPR, shocked me and intubated me. They had to do this several times, because I kept going back into v-fib (ventricular fibrillation). Then when they were trying extubate me, they had to continue leaving me on ventilation. My other co-worker went to my car and got my cell phone to call my daughter, and she in turn called the rest of my children.