Key result
Placing smartphones directly on the chest yields 0% EMI or adverse events in CIED patients.
Why the study?
Smartphones and cardiac implantable electronic devices are reportedly better designed to reduce electromagnetic interference, but evidence of interference remains.
Does smartphone exposure at close proximity cause electromagnetic interference or adverse events in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices?
Observational (n=80)
Does smartphone exposure at close proximity cause electromagnetic interference or adverse events in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices?
Current generation smartphones do not cause electromagnetic interference with cardiac implantable electronic devices even when placed directly over the device.
No EMI detected in this cohort; supports smartphone safety near CIEDs but leaves open generalizability to newer models and real-world use.
Background: Smartphone can emit two types of electromagnetic waves, static field and dynamic field. Evidence showed the interference from phones to cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). The smartphones and CIEDs are reportedly better designed to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). Methods: 80 consecutive subjects with CIEDs were recruited and tested for EMI. Subject was tested with three different smartphones (Nokia 3310, Iphone 7, and Samsung 9S). Phone was attached to chest wall at 0 cm at generator site, at atrial lead level, and at ventricular lead level. During the tests, real-time interrogations were performed to detect any EMI from smartphone in standby mode, and during calling-in and out for 30 s. After the tests, post-test interrogations were performed to detect any parameter change. Adverse events including pacemaker inhibition, false ICD shock, CIEDs device malfunction, and urgent electrophysiologist consultations were recorded. Results: = 62, 77.5%) had more than one lead implanted. The mean year of implantation was 5.2±2.8 (devices were implanted from 2008 to 2019). Of all the tests performed, there was no EMI or adverse events observed. Conclusion: Current generation of smartphones has no EMI effect on CIEDs in our study and can be used safely with less concern about adverse events including pacemaker inhibition, inappropriate ICD shock, and CIEDs device malfunction.
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Apakuppakul et al. (2022) conducted an observational in Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) (n=80). Smartphones (Nokia 3310, iPhone 7, and Samsung 9S) was evaluated on Electromagnetic interference (EMI) or adverse events. Exposure to three different smartphones placed directly on the chest resulted in 0% electromagnetic interference or adverse events in 80 patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.
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