Are Contemporary Smartwatches and Mobile Phones Safe for Patients With Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices?

2020 · Mixed · Moderate evidence

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MixedModerate evidencePaper 1459

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2020

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Are Contemporary Smartwatches and Mobile Phones Safe for Patients With Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices? Philipp Lacour, Abdul ShokorParwani, Franziska Schuessler, Felix Hohendanner, Frank R. Heinzel, Tobias D.Trippel, Leif-Hendrik Bold, Burkert Pieske, Florian Blaschke. Are Contemporary Smartwatches and Mobile Phones Safe for Patients With Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices? JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. 29 July 2020. doi.org. Abstract Objectives Given the increasing prevalence of mobile phone and smartwatch use, this study tested patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) for the incidence and consequence of contemporary mobile phone and smartwatch-produced electromagnetic interferences. Background Electromagnetic interferences can be hazardous for patients with CIEDs. Methods In total, 148 patients with CIEDs and leads from 4 different manufacturers were subjected to 1,352 tests. Analyzed CIEDs included 51 pacemakers, 5 cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers, 46 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, 43 cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators, and 3 implantable loop recorders. To analyze a possible influence of certain distances between the mobile phone (iPhone 6) and the smartwatch (Apple Watch A1553) to the CIED, both were placed either directly above implanted devices or at the right wrist. All possible activations of the iPhone and the Apple Watch, including the standby, dialing, and connecting modes (telephone connection and Internet access) were tested. In addition, we studied incidence and characteristics of interferences with interrogation telemetry. Results In this study, only a single case of mobile phone-induced electromagnetic interference on a dual- chamber pacemaker was observed. Utilizing wanded telemetry, iPhone induced interferences were found in 14% of the patients. However, none of the patients showed any interference with the Apple Watch. Conclusions The risk of electromagnetic interferences of the iPhone 6 and the Apple Watch with CIEDs is low. However, close proximity of the iPhone 6 to implanted devices can cause telemetry interferences. sciencedirect.com

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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 typeother

Effect directionmixed

PopulationPatients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs)

Sample size148

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Among 148 patients undergoing 1,352 tests, one case of mobile phone-induced EMI on a dual-chamber pacemaker was observed. Using wanded telemetry, iPhone-induced interferences occurred in 14% of patients; no interference with the Apple Watch was observed. Authors conclude overall EMI risk is low, but close proximity of the iPhone 6 to implanted devices can cause telemetry interference.

Outcomes measured

Incidence and consequences of electromagnetic interference (EMI) with CIEDs from iPhone 6 and Apple Watch
Interference with interrogation telemetry (including wanded telemetry)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "mobile phone and smartwatch",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs)",
  "sample_size": 148,
  "outcomes": [
    "Incidence and consequences of electromagnetic interference (EMI) with CIEDs from iPhone 6 and Apple Watch",
    "Interference with interrogation telemetry (including wanded telemetry)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Among 148 patients undergoing 1,352 tests, one case of mobile phone-induced EMI on a dual-chamber pacemaker was observed. Using wanded telemetry, iPhone-induced interferences occurred in 14% of patients; no interference with the Apple Watch was observed. Authors conclude overall EMI risk is low, but close proximity of the iPhone 6 to implanted devices can cause telemetry interference.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "cardiovascular implantable electronic devices",
    "CIED",
    "pacemaker",
    "implantable cardioverter-defibrillator",
    "cardiac resynchronization therapy",
    "implantable loop recorder",
    "electromagnetic interference",
    "mobile phone",
    "iPhone 6",
    "smartwatch",
    "Apple Watch",
    "telemetry interference",
    "wanded telemetry"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study concerns electromagnetic interference from consumer RF devices; could be relevant to exposure guidance context, though no specific WHO/ICNIRP content is stated."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1016/j.jacep.2020.04.033
PubMed: Not supplied

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