'Remote Detection of Cardiac Implantable Electrical Devices'

 

1. Daniel B. Kramer, MD, MPH^1,2,3; Hui Zhuang, MEng⁶; Maisy Lam, MSc⁴
2. et al
   
   
   doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2026.3403

Cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIEDs) allow bilateral communication at short range with manufacturer-specific “programmers” that allow for assessment of device status and changes to CIED settings.¹ Many CIEDs also wirelessly broadcast radio frequency signals, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Once paired with a relay station, either a stand-alone unit typically plugged in at patients’ bedside or a manufacturer-specific smartphone application, wireless CIEDs send transmissions to servers maintained by the manufacturers.² Manufacturer guidance suggests that wireless communication between CIEDs and relay stations extends only to approximately 10 feet.³ A recent kidnapping of a patient publicly reported to have a pacemaker paired with a smartphone application generated broad interest in whether patients with these devices could be geolocated.^4,5 This report describes efforts to define the technical characteristics of BLE-enabled pacemakers regarding signal detection and the ability to identify specific devices at remote distances.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/article-abstract/2854291