CT scan alert
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Computed tomography scans may interfere with certain electronic medical devices, including pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators and implanted or external drug infusion pumps, FDA warns in a July 14 preliminary 1public health notification. Interference from CT scans may cause unintended shocks, insulin pump malfunction and changes in pacemaker pacing, FDA notes, though no deaths have been reported. When possible, operators should move external devices out of CT scan range, temporarily shut devices off or otherwise minimize X-ray exposure, FDA recommends. The agency's medical imaging systems assessment lab says it is doing preliminary research to better understand CT/implanted device interaction issues