Germany: Study on Electromagnetic Interference with CIEDs

The use of contemporary mobile phones and smartwatches is not likely to pose electromagnetic interferences risk with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), according to a recent study in the journal JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. The clinicians should, however, be aware that their close proximity to implanted devices might affect the telemetry.

Electromagnetic interferences can be hazardous for patients with CIEDs and given the increasing prevalence of the use of mobile phone and smartwatch, Philipp Lacour, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partnersite Berlin, Germany, and colleagues tested patients with CIEDs for the incidence and consequence of contemporary mobile phone and smartwatch-produced electromagnetic interferences.

A total of 148 patients with CIEDs and leads from 4 different manufacturers were subjected to 1,352 tests. CEIDs that were analyzed included:

• 3 implantable loop recorders
• 43 cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators
• 46 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators
• 5 cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers
• 51 pacemakers

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, the researchers studied the incidence and characteristics of interferences with interrogation telemetry.

Key findings of the study include:

• 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.
• None of the patients showed any interference with the Apple Watch.

"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," concluded the authors.

The study, "Are Contemporary Smartwatches and Mobile Phones Safe for Patients With Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices?," is published in the journal JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacep.2020.04.033