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. 2021 Jun 15;10(12):e020818.
doi: 10.1161/JAHA.121.020818. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Magnetic Interference on Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices From Apple iPhone MagSafe Technology

Fahd Nadeem  1 , Arismendy Nunez Garcia  1 , Cao Thach Tran  1 , Michael Wu  1
Affiliations

Magnetic Interference on Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices From Apple iPhone MagSafe Technology

Fahd Nadeem et al. J Am Heart Assoc. .

Abstract

Background Magnet wireless charging is being utilized increasingly in current generation smartphones. Apple's MagSafe is a proprietary wireless charging technology with an array of magnets that has the capacity to generate magnet fieldstrength >50 gauss (G). We hypothesize that there is clinically significant magnet interference caused by Apple's MagSafe technology on cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED). Methods and Results This study has an in vivo and an ex vivo component. The in vivo component consists of consecutive patients who presented to the electrophysiology laboratory with previously implanted CIEDs. The iPhone 12 Pro Max was directly placed on the skin over the pocket of these patients and the effect was studied by device interrogation. For the ex vivo component of the study, CIEDs from major device companies were tested for magnetic interference caused by iPhone 12 Pro Max through unopened packages. We found that iPhone 12 Pro Max resulted in clinically identifiable magnet interference in 3/3 (100%) participants in vivo and in 8/11 (72.7%) devices ex vivo. Conclusions Apple's iPhone 12 Pro Max MagSafe technology can cause magnet interference on CIEDs and has the potential to inhibit lifesaving therapy.

Keywords: hall‐effect sensor; implantable cardioverter/defibrillator; magnet; pacemaker; reed switch; smartphone.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. iPhone 12 Pro Max placed on the skin over Medtronic Amplia MRI Quad CRT‐D device triggering magnet reversion mode.
Figure 2
Figure 2. iPhone 12 Pro Max placed over Boston Scientific U125 Valitude ex vivo temporarily increasing the pacing rate to 85 beats per minute, which is the magnetic reversion rate for Boston Scientific devices.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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