Bioelectrical impedance analysis of body composition: influence of a newly implanted cardiac device

Abstract

Current guidelines do not recommend bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in patients with implanted cardiac devices. There is no data on the influence of such devices over the parameters assessed by BIA. We aimed to assess the influence of cardiac devices on the parameters assessed by BIA as well as to evaluate the likelihood of electromagnetic interference of BIA in patients with implanted cardiac devices. Sixty-two consecutive patients over 18 years of age who underwent single (PM) or multisite (CRT) pacemaker or defibrillator (ICD) implantation were included. Body composition assessment was done using a single frequency device, on both right and left sides, before and after cardiac device implantation. During BIA analysis after device implantation, we did real-time telemetry to assess electromagnetic interference. Patients were 67+14 years old and 51.6% male. PM was implanted in 52 patients (83.9%), ICD in 7 (11.3%), ICD with CRT in 2 (3.2%) and CRT in 1 (1.6%). During real-time telemetry, there was no electromagnetic interference including interruption of telemetry. Default device programming did not change after BIA assessment. After surgery, resistance and fat mass were smaller, while cellular mass, fat-free mass, metabolic rate and total body water/ body weight increased, on right and left sides measurements. We concluded that decreased resistance and related parameters after device implantation were probably influenced to a change in hydration status, regardless of the implanted device. Bioimpedance analysis is safe in patients with an implanted cardiac device.

Keywords

• bioimpedance
• pacemaker
• cardioverter-defibrillator
• icd
• electromagnetic interference