High-powered electric vehicle chargers are safe for people with implantable cardiac devices, according to a recent study published in EP EuroPace and presented at the European Heart Rhythm Association annual congress. The study analyzed data from 130 patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (IEDs) who performed 561 charges of four battery electric vehicles and a test vehicle with a 350-kW charge capacity, all using high-power charging stations while under continuous ECG monitoring.
The findings showed no evidence of clinically relevant electromagnetic interference (EMI), specifically no over-sensing, pacing inhibition, inappropriate tachycardia detection, mode switching, or spontaneous reprogramming. The effective magnetic field along the charging cable was 38.65 µT and at the charging station was 77.9 µT.
High-power charging stations for electric cars have the potential to create strong electromagnetic fields and cause electromagnetic interference in pacemakers and defibrillators, leading them to malfunction, according to Carsten Lennerz, MD, consultant cardiologist at the German Heart Centre Munich. However, Lennerz and colleagues found that the use of high-power chargers for patients with pacemakers or defibrillators is safe.
“Restrictions for their use should not be placed. Patients with pacemakers or defibrillators do not need to worry to drive or to charge any battery electric car,” Lennerz told Healio.
While the risk is likely low, the researchers recommend that people with cardiac IEDs should not place a charging cable directly over the cardiac device to maintain distance from the charging elements. The study focused on high-power charging technology rather than home chargers, but the researchers noted that home charging is likely safe with sensible precautions, such as not staying next to the charging cable for extended periods of time.
The findings of this study are significant as all-electric mobility is gaining popularity and the technology is evolving very fast. With further developments and innovations, a potential relevant risk for EMI must be reassessed. However, for now, people with implantable cardiac devices can charge their electric vehicles using high-power charging stations without any significant risk of electromagnetic interference.
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