The probability of an adverse event to pacemakers and ICDs from CT exposure is extremely low. However, as a precaution, you should check the device after it was exposed to CT x-ray radiation, at the next scheduled patient checkup. Although rare, the following adverse effects have been reported:
- Power on reset (“device reboot”)
- Battery depletion
- Detected noise
- Changes in device programming (reset to default, shock counter resetting)
- Inappropriate ICD shocks
- Capacitor charging
- Corrupted memory
- Communications/interrogation issues
- Over-sensing