FDA warns CT using x-ray equipment failure caused

United States food and Drug Administration on July 14, warning: CT examination using x-ray may cause some implants or in electronic medical device failure.

This warning is FDA's medical device and Radiological Health Center Director Daniel Schultz, Ph.d., in a letter published, he said: the FDA has received a number of CT scanning interferes with pacemakers, defibrillators, Nerve Stimulator, implantation or in vitro drug infusion pump, cochlear implants, retinal implants of case reports.

But the letter also clarified that the CT scan for most patients with electronic medical devices have no side effects.

Already reports of adverse events include:

Caused by a neural Stimulator; insulin pumps other than shock; pacemaker malfunction output pulse frequency change.

CT scan interference may be caused by problems of electronic medical devices include:

Error signal, including cardiac defibrillator pulse; x-ray generated signal misinterpreted as real physiological signal; real leakage detection of physiological signals; change or reset the instrument settings why recent will find that these cases? these following FDA considers the reasons: CT used more frequently, new CT equipment with higher dose rate, the more efficient case reports, and more use of electronic medical devices for patients.

To avoid the adverse event, radiographers should know before scanning with the implant or to wear an electronic medical device and, if so, it should be noted that these instruments in the distance from the scan.

If the instrument in the scan scope or close to the scanning range, the technician shall be based on the type of apparatus for disposal: attempts to scan the in vitro device away from; requirements to wear nerve stimulator of patients during the temporary closure of the device. To guarantee the image quality, where possible, use a minimum of x-ray tube current and ensure the x-ray beam irradiation in these instruments in the shortest possible time.

If CT is required to place the apparatus on the area of more than a few seconds of time sweep (such as CT Perfusion or intervene in check), shall be directed at potential adverse reaction to emergency preparedness.

After the end of the examination, the patient must restart instrument and check function is normal, if the instruments are not working properly, and as soon as possible contact with the doctor.