Influence of mobile communication signals on pacemaker operation

It is well-known that mobile terminals may cause problems in the electronically system of aircrafts. But is it also possible that such signals affect function of pacemakers? To investigate these potential influences the coupling of mobile communication signals into a heart electrode and the sensitivity of pacemakers to those signals was determined. Several implantation configuration of the heart electrode, about 100 different types of pacemakers and different mobile standards (GSM, DECT, W-CDMA) were considered. The combination of electrode, pacemaker and signal offers an easy estimation of risk for different scenarios.