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. 2023 May 1;19(5):941-946.
doi: 10.5664/jcsm.10478.

Interaction of positive airway pressure mask magnets with cardiac implantable electronic devices

Chad M Ruoff  1 , Yasemin S Tashman  1 , Kamal Preet K Cheema  2 , Bernie W Miller  1 , Ryan F Houser  3 , Matthew J Lizak  1 , Caitlin C Haley  1 , Ann M Petersen  1 , Umesh Goswami  3 , Philip J Lyng  1 , Lois E Krahn  3 , Komandoor Srivathsan  4
Affiliations

Interaction of positive airway pressure mask magnets with cardiac implantable electronic devices

Chad M Ruoff et al. J Clin Sleep Med. .

Abstract

Study objectives: To evaluate for potential interactions between magnetic positive airway pressure (mPAP) masks and cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) for patients with sleep apnea.

Methods: Adult patients with a CIED who used an mPAP mask were recruited from our sleep clinic to undergo a safety visit at our pacemaker clinic. We tested whether the mPAP interacted with the implanted device at home during normal use and in the clinic during simulated normal use and with direct contact. The magnetic field strength of 6 mPAP masks was tested with a gaussmeter.

Results: Of 13 patients tested, 1 (8%), wearing a full face mask (ResMed AirFit F30 [ResMed, San Diego, California]), had a magnet response event (interaction) with direct contact, but no interactions were identified during normal or simulated normal use in any patient. The magnetic field strength of the mPAP masks increased the closer the mask got to the CIED, from 0.4 mT (4 G) at the mask manufacturer's recommended 5.1-cm (2-inch) distance from an implanted medical device up to 291 mT (2,910 G) at 0 cm (0 inches; direct contact).

Conclusions: An mPAP mask may interact with a CIED if placed directly on the skin overlying the CIED. The use of Philips Respironics (Philips, Cambridge, Massachusetts) mPAP masks is now contraindicated in patients with a CIED. Until additional studies are conducted to better document the risks and benefits of mPAP masks, we recommend discouraging patients with CIEDs from using any mPAP mask.

Citation: Ruoff CM, Tashman YS, Cheema KPK, et al. Interaction of positive airway pressure mask magnets with cardiac implantable electronic devices. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(5):941-946.

Keywords: bilevel positive airway pressure; cardiac implantable electronic devices; continuous positive airway pressure; implantable cardioverter-defibrillators; magnets; masks; pacemaker.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors have seen and approved the manuscript. Work for this study was performed at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Mayo Clinic does not endorse specific products or services included in this article. Results from this study were presented as a scientific poster at Sleep 2022, the 36th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society; June 7, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Measuring the strength of a magnetic positive airway pressure mask at 2 distances from a magnet of a cardiac implantable electronic device.
(A) Approximately 0 cm from magnet. (B) Approximately 5.1 cm (2 inches) from magnet.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Magnetic positive airway pressure mask on a model.
(A) Mask on chest, in a simulation of the wearer removing the mask unknowingly. Arrows indicate magnets in mask. (B) Person’s head tilted toward left shoulder, with magnet (arrow) close to the heart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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