Pacemaker interference with screening mammography

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1999 Jul;22(7):1106-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.1999.tb00581.x.

Abstract

In female pacemaker recipients undergoing screening mammography, the impact of a pulse generator placed in the pectoral region has yet to be reviewed. We evaluated mammograms from 74 female pacemaker patients aged 40 years and older. The pulse generator obscured a portion of the mammogram in 7 patients (12%). During pacemaker implantation in women, the potential for the pulse generator to interfere with screening mammography should be considered. Baseline mammography should be obtained or reviewed; in high risk patients a nonconventional location for the pulse generator may be appropriate.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Artifacts
  • Equipment Failure Analysis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mammography*
  • Mass Screening*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pacemaker, Artificial*
  • Predictive Value of Tests