Dec 23 (HeartCenterOnline) - Personal digital assistants (PDAs) that access wireless communication networks, such as those found in offices and hospitals, don't affect pacemaker or ICD function, according to researchers at Mayo Clinic.

With the rapid rise of wireless local area networks (WLAN), there was some concern that PDAs hooked into these networks might compromise pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). These life-saving technologies are used to correct abnormal heart rhythms, but they are sensitive to electromagnetic energy, including cell phones.

Researchers at Mayo wanted to confirm anecdotal evidence that PDAs were safe. "When new devices are used near a patient with a life-sustaining implantable device, there is a potential of electromagnetic interference, and assessment of potential interactions is critical," said David Hayes, M.D., a Mayo Clinic physician and the lead researcher in the study, which was published in the recent issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

To test this, researchers exposed cardiac devices to an HP Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC fitted with a Cisco Aironet WLAN card. The devices were not implanted at the time of the test. Ultimately, the PDAs were proven safe.

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