Characteristics of telemetry interference with pacemakers caused by digital media players.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary implantable heart rhythm devices communicate multiple complex data simultaneously using radiofrequency telemetry. Interference in communication can expose them to the risk of potential corruption, leading to adverse clinical consequences. METHODS & RESULTS: We studied the characteristics of interference with uplink (real time intracardiac electrograms, marker channel, and stored histograms) and downlink (attempt to program a change in the lower rate limit, the pacing mode, and the ventricular lead configuration) data transmission between the wand and the pacemaker caused by digital media players (iPods--Photo and 3G) in 50 patients. We also measured and characterized worst-case magnetic field emissions (MFE) from the wand (