B-PO01-097 DO APPLE IPHONE 12 MAGSAFE MAGNETS TRIGGER MAGNET MODE IN CARDIAC DEVICES?

Abstract

Cardiac devices (pacemaker and defibrillators) have a magnet sensitive switch. Magnet application on a pacemaker generally causes an asynchronous pacing mode. Magnet application on a defibrillator temporarily suspends all anti-tachycardia therapies. Suspending anti-tachycardia therapies on a defibrillator can result in inhibition of potential life-saving therapies. The new Apple iPhone 12 line contain new magnets as part of their MagSafe charging system. Apple has recently released a warning for their iPhone 12 series and MagSafe accessories to keep a safe distance of more than 6 inches away from cardiac devices. This study aims to study the safety of Apple iPhone 12 with MagSafe near cardiac devices and to see how often then may trigger magnet mode. During clinic device checks or in hospital new cardiac device implant or generator changes, an Apple iPhone 12 with MagSafe cover will be used to see if magnet mode can be triggered on the cardiac device. Three sites were tested (<6 inches), holding the phone near the mouth, near the ear on the cardiac device implanting side and physically on top of the device. Magnet mode was first confirmed by using a standard medical grade device magnet while connected to an ECG or device interrogator. The Apple iPhone 12 with MagSafe cover was tested at 3 different sites to see if magnet mode could be triggered. The Apple iPhone 12 was tested on 30 devices for a total of 90 different positions. Manufacturer breakdown was 18 from Abbott, 10 from Medtronic and 2 from Boston Scientific. Device type breakdown was 20 pacemakers, 10 transvenous ICD and 1 SubQ ICD. Magnet response occurred in 0/30 near mouth position, 0/30 ear position and 3/30 over the device position. The 3 magnet responses were on Abbott pacemakers. One magnet response was easy to induce on an older generation of Abbott CRT pacemaker before generator change. The other 2 magnet responses were on current generation of Abbott pacemakers but was very positional. Apple iPhone 12 with MagSafe can be safely used with cardiac devices in normal phone use. Even with extreme close contact, only 10% of the time we were able to elicit magnet response. On current generation of devices, it was very positional to elicit magnet response.