CT (Computer Tomography) scans can cause some electronic medical devices, such as pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators and insulin pumps to malfunction. According to a Food & Drug Administration (FDA) alert issued yesterday, CT scans have caused such medical devices to shock patients, or to emit inaccurate signals. According to the alert, the FDA has confirmed six […]
CT (Computer Tomography) scans can cause some electronic <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/defective_medical_devices">medical devices, such as pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators and insulin pumps to malfunction. According to a Food & Drug Administration (FDA) alert issued yesterday, CT scans have caused such medical devices to shock patients, or to emit inaccurate signals.
According to the alert, the FDA has confirmed six reports of devices that malfunctioned after a CT scan and another nine reports of suspected problems.  No deaths have been reported as a result of the malfunctions.  Devices that could be affected by CT scans include cardiac pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators, neurostimulators, drug infusion and insulin pumps, cochlear implants and retinal implants, the FDA said. People with these devices are already prohibited from undergoing MRI procedures because of similar risks.
In the reports received by the FDA, the following adverse events were likely to have been caused by x-rays from CT scans:
Problems with electronic medical devices that might be caused by CT scanner interference include:
The agency recommends that CT operators use the least amount of X-ray exposure possible and stand prepared to treat adverse reactions, among other measures. Patients with affected devices should: