Influence of the arc welding related electromagnetic field on pacemakers

Anotace: The patients with implanted pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator are exposed to a certain risk of affecting this device by surrounding electromagnetic field. There are many sources of potential risky electromagnetic fields, arc welding is definitely one of them. The aim of this article is to present research focused on analysis of the pacemaker function during welding. There were performed in-vitro measurements with 9 pacemakers during metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) method arc welding. The responses of pacemakers were monitored by communication via programmer. Based on these measurements there are proposed safe distances from the main parts of welding machines, and also conditions and instructions for arc welding by patients with pacemakers. To ensure patient safety, patients should maintain suggested safe distances, use direct current with minimal possible amplitude, and weld in short intervals. Additionally, their pacemakers should be set to bipolar configuration.