Research needed into effect of radiation on ICDs

Australian cardiologists and radiologists are calling for more research into the effects of radiation on modern day pacemakers and ICDs. The authors from the Nepean Hospital in Sydney noted that current pacemakers and ICDs were more sensitive to radiation than previous models due to the incorporation of CMOS circuitry. Data was also limited on the effect and management of devices undergoing radiation therapy. Each radiation oncology department should employ their own policy for the management of patients with pacemakers and ICDS, potentially based on updated standard national or international guidelines similar to that released by the AAPM in 1994, the study authors concluded....