Philipp Lacour1, Phi Long Dang2, Frank R Heinzel1, Abdul Shokor Parwani1, Felix Bähr1, Andreas Kucher3, Felix Hohendanner1, Thoralf Niendorf4, Faezeh Rahimi4, Nandita Saha4, Haopeng Han4, Kerstin Rubarth5, Mohammad Sherif1, Leif-Hendrik Boldt1, Burkert Pieske6, Florian Blaschke7. 1. Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Charité-Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 2. Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Charité-Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany. 3. Biotronik SE & Co. KG, Berlin, Germany. 4. Berlin Ultrahigh Field Facility (B.U.F.F.), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany. 5. Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 6. Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Charité-Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 7. Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Charité-Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: florian.blaschke@charite.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent case reports and small studies have reported activation of the magnet-sensitive switches in cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) by the new iPhone 12 series, initiating asynchronous pacing in pacemakers and suspension of antitachycardia therapies in implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this prospective single-center observational study was to quantify the risk of magnetic field interactions of the iPhone 12 with CIEDs. METHODS: A representative model of each CIED series from all manufacturers was tested ex vivo. Incidence and minimum distance necessary for magnet mode triggering were analyzed in 164 CIED patients with either the front or the back of the phone facing the device. The magnetic field of the iPhone 12 was analyzed using a 3-axis Hall probe. RESULTS: Ex vivo, magnetic interference occurred in 84.6% with the back compared to 46.2% with the front of the iPhone 12 facing the CIED. In vivo, activation of the magnet-sensitive switch occurred in 30 CIED patients (18.3%; 21 pacemaker, 9 ICD) when the iPhone 12 was placed in close proximity over the CIED pocket and the back of the phone was facing the skin. Multiple binary logistic regression analysis identified implantation depth (95% confidence interval 0.02-0.24) as an independent predictor of magnet-sensitive switch activation. CONCLUSION: Magnetic field interactions occur only in close proximity and with precise alignment of the iPhone 12 and CIEDs. It is important to advise CIED patients to not put the iPhone 12 directly on the skin above the CIED. Further recommendations are not necessary.
BACKGROUND: Recent case reports and small studies have reported activation of the magnet-sensitive switches in cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) by the new iPhone 12 series, initiating asynchronous pacing in pacemakers and suspension of antitachycardia therapies in implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this prospective single-center observational study was to quantify the risk of magnetic field interactions of the iPhone 12 with CIEDs. METHODS: A representative model of each CIED series from all manufacturers was tested ex vivo. Incidence and minimum distance necessary for magnet mode triggering were analyzed in 164 CIED patients with either the front or the back of the phone facing the device. The magnetic field of the iPhone 12 was analyzed using a 3-axis Hall probe. RESULTS: Ex vivo, magnetic interference occurred in 84.6% with the back compared to 46.2% with the front of the iPhone 12 facing the CIED. In vivo, activation of the magnet-sensitive switch occurred in 30 CIED patients (18.3%; 21 pacemaker, 9 ICD) when the iPhone 12 was placed in close proximity over the CIED pocket and the back of the phone was facing the skin. Multiple binary logistic regression analysis identified implantation depth (95% confidence interval 0.02-0.24) as an independent predictor of magnet-sensitive switch activation. CONCLUSION: Magnetic field interactions occur only in close proximity and with precise alignment of the iPhone 12 and CIEDs. It is important to advise CIED patients to not put the iPhone 12 directly on the skin above the CIED. Further recommendations are not necessary.
Authors: Milos D Babic; Milosav Tomovic; Maja Milosevic; Branko Djurdjevic; Vasko Zugic; Aleksandra Nikolic Journal: Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol Date: 2022-04-25 Impact factor: 1.485
Authors: Patrick Badertscher; Céline Vergne; Corentin Féry; Diego Mannhart; Thomas Quirin; Stefan Osswald; Michael Kühne; Christian Sticherling; Sven Knecht; Joris Pascal Journal: Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc Date: 2022-09-08