Interference by Modern Smartphones and Accessories with Cardiac Pacemakers and Defibrillators

Current cardiology reports · 2022 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 917

Study snapshot

PublicationCurrent cardiology reports · 2022

Study typereview

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Interference by Modern Smartphones and Accessories with Cardiac Pacemakers and Defibrillators Fahd Nadeem, Cao Thach Tran, Estelle Torbey, Daniel Philbin, Carlos Morales, Michael Wu. Interference by Modern Smartphones and Accessories with Cardiac Pacemakers and Defibrillators. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2022 Jan 27. doi: 10.1007/s11886-022-01653-0. Abstract Purpose of review: The risk of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) interference from cell phones was previously thought to be low based on older studies. Current generation of smartphones have incorporated more magnets for optimization of wireless charging, attachment of accessories, and convenience functionalities. These magnets have the potential to cause CIEDs to inadvertently revert into magnet mode. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent findings on smartphones and their accessories causing interference on CIEDs. Recent findings: Recent reports have demonstrated that the iPhone 12 series and accessories have the capability to cause CIED magnetic interference. Current generation of smartphones, smartwatches, wireless headphones, and accessories have the potential to cause CIEDs to revert into magnet mode in both in vivo and ex vivo experiments. The risk of a clinically significant event is unlikely as long as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations are followed; keeping smartphones and accessories at least six inches away from CIEDs. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview

Effect directionharm

PopulationPeople with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), including pacemakers and defibrillators

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Recent reports indicate the iPhone 12 series and accessories can cause magnetic interference with CIEDs. In vivo and ex vivo experiments suggest current-generation smartphones, smartwatches, wireless headphones, and accessories can cause CIEDs to revert into magnet mode. The abstract states clinically significant events are unlikely if FDA recommendations are followed (keeping devices at least six inches away from CIEDs).

Outcomes measured

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) magnetic interference
CIED reversion into magnet mode
Clinically significant events (risk assessment)

Limitations

Narrative review summarizing recent findings; no primary study methods, sample sizes, or quantitative effect estimates provided in the abstract
Exposure characteristics (e.g., frequencies, field strengths, SAR) not reported in the abstract
Clinical outcome data and event rates not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "People with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), including pacemakers and defibrillators",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) magnetic interference",
    "CIED reversion into magnet mode",
    "Clinically significant events (risk assessment)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Recent reports indicate the iPhone 12 series and accessories can cause magnetic interference with CIEDs. In vivo and ex vivo experiments suggest current-generation smartphones, smartwatches, wireless headphones, and accessories can cause CIEDs to revert into magnet mode. The abstract states clinically significant events are unlikely if FDA recommendations are followed (keeping devices at least six inches away from CIEDs).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Narrative review summarizing recent findings; no primary study methods, sample sizes, or quantitative effect estimates provided in the abstract",
    "Exposure characteristics (e.g., frequencies, field strengths, SAR) not reported in the abstract",
    "Clinical outcome data and event rates not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "smartphone",
    "iPhone 12",
    "magnets",
    "wireless charging",
    "accessories",
    "smartwatch",
    "wireless headphones",
    "cardiac implantable electronic device",
    "pacemaker",
    "defibrillator",
    "magnet mode",
    "interference",
    "FDA recommendations"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Mentions FDA recommendations regarding device separation distance; no WHO/ICNIRP content stated."
    },
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0,
      "reason": null
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s11886-022-01653-0
PubMed: 35084671

Read the original paper →

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