Objective: Third generation mobile phones (UMTS) were recently introduced in Europe. The safety
of these devices with regard to their interference with implanted pacemakers is as
yet unknown.
Methods: The study comprised 100 patients with permanent pacemaker implantation between November
2004 and June 2005. Two UMTS cellular phones (T-Mobile, Vodafone) were tested in the
standby, dialing and operating mode with 22 single-chamber and 78 dual-chamber pacemakers.
Continuous surface electrocardiograms, intracardiac electrograms, and marker channels
were recorded when calls were made by a stationary phone to the cellular phones. All
pacemakers were tested under a „worst-case scenario“, which includes a programming
of the pacemaker to unipolar sensing and pacing modes and inducing of a maximum sensitivity
setting during continuous pacing of the patient.
Results: Patients had pacemaker implantation between January 1997 and March 2005. The mean
age was 70.6±13.2 years. Regardless of atrial and ventricular sensitivity settings
all tested pacemakers did not show any interference with both UMTS mobile phones (Nokia
6650 and Motorola A835). In addition, there was also no interference of the marker
channels and the intracardiac ECGs with both cellular phones.
Conclusion: Third generation mobile phones are safe for patients with permanent pacemakers. This
is due to the high frequency band for this system (1800–2200MHz) and the low power
output between 0.01 W and 0.25 W.
