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Review
. 2018 Mar 20;71(11):1284-1288.
doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.01.023. Epub 2018 Feb 20.

Cybersecurity for Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: What Should You Know?

Adrian Baranchuk  1 , Marwan M Refaat  2 , Kristen K Patton  3 , Mina K Chung  4 , Kousik Krishnan  5 , Valentina Kutyifa  6 , Gaurav Upadhyay  7 , John D Fisher  8 , Dhanunjaya R Lakkireddy  9 ; American College of Cardiology’s Electrophysiology Section Leadership
Affiliations
Review

Cybersecurity for Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: What Should You Know?

Adrian Baranchuk et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. .

Abstract

Medical devices have been targets of hacking for over a decade, and this cybersecurity issue has affected many types of medical devices. Lately, the potential for hacking of cardiac devices (pacemakers and defibrillators) claimed the attention of the media, patients, and health care providers. This is a burgeoning problem that our newly electronically connected world faces. In this paper from the Electrophysiology Section Council, we briefly discuss various aspects of this relatively new threat in light of recent incidents involving the potential for hacking of cardiac devices. We explore the possible risks for the patients and the effect of device reconfiguration in an attempt to thwart cybersecurity threats. We provide an outline of what can be done to improve cybersecurity from the standpoint of the manufacturer, government, professional societies, physician, and patient.

Keywords: cardiac implantable electronic devices; cybersecurity; hacking; remote monitoring.

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CENTRAL ILLUSTRATION
CENTRAL ILLUSTRATION. Interaction Amongst Various Stake Holders in Addressing the Cybersecurity Issue
CIED = cardiovascular implantable electronic device; FDA = Food and Drug Administration.
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