https://bhrs.com/important-life-saving-therapy-inhibition-by-phones-containing-magnets/ Skip to content * Register * Log In British Heart Rhythm Society Logo British Heart Rhythm Society Logo Search for: [ ] [] * About + About Us Find out about BHRS, our council members and view a copy of our constitution. + o About o Council Members o Council Elections o Fellowship Members o Constitution * Membership + Membership Learn about the benefits of BHRS membership and how to join. + o Membership Benefits o How to Join o Purchase BHRS Membership * Certification + Certification BHRS Certification is a recognition of knowledge and practical experience in the field of cardiac rhythm management. + o Certification o Examination o FAQs o Log Books * News + News View the latest in BHRS and arrhythmia care news and download the latest newsletters. + o News o Covid-19 Information * Documents + Documents View the latest information and resources as well as BHRS guidelines, standards, position statements. + o Arrhythmia Nurses # Local Guidelines & Policies # Local Protocols o Audit o Cardiac Physiologist Workforce o Notices & Alerts o Position Statements o Standards o Guidelines o Operational Policies o COVID-19 Resources * Education + Education View educational information on training courses, opportunities and information within BHRS. + o Events & Courses o Video Library # Members Only Video Library o ECG/EGM Challenge o Funding Opportunties o Training Centres o Job Opportunities o MRI & CIEDS o AER Journal o BHRS Editorial Archive o Educational Resources o Journal Club o Presentations o How To & Techniques * Contact * About + About + Council Members + Council Elections + Fellowship Members + Constitution * Membership + Membership Benefits + How to Join + Purchase BHRS Membership * Certification + Certification + Examination + FAQs + Log Books * News + News + COVID-19 * Documents + Arrhythmia Nurses o Local Guidelines & Policies o Local Protocols + Audit + Cardiac Physiologist Workforce + Notices & Alerts + Position Statements + Standards + Guidelines + Operational Policies * Education + ECG/EGM Challenge + Events & Courses + Video Library + Members Only Video Library + Funding Opportunties + Training Centres + Job Opportunities + MRI & CIEDS + AER Journal + BHRS Editorial Archive + Educational Resources + Journal Club + Presentations + How to & Techniques * Contact IMPORTANT: Life Saving Therapy Inhibition by Phones Containing Magnets Life Saving Therapy Inhibition by Phones Containing Magnets The Heart Rhythm Society has issued the following information regarding the use of the new iPhone 12 Series and ICDs. "Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) remains the cornerstone therapy in the management of malignant ventricular arrythmia's for patients with high risk cardiac conditions. An ICD system contains a battery, capacitors, sensing/ pacing circuit together with an intra-or extra-cardiac lead. All ICD's have an in-built switch (Reed switch, Hall-effect sensors, Giant magneto sensitive resistors or coils) which respond to an externally applied magnetic field. When an external magnet is applied to a defibrillator, high voltage shock therapy for ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation is suspended. It has been estimated that a magnetic field stronger than 10 Gauss is strong enough to activate these switches. Recently, Apple Inc. launched the iPhone 12 series which has a circular array of magnets around a central charging coil for the phone to be compatible with "MagSafe" accessories. MagSafe technology contains a magnetometer and single coil Near Field Communications (NFC) reader. The magnets aids in properly aligning the iPhone on a wireless charger and other peripheral accessories and increases wireless charging speeds (up to 15 Watts). The first author (JG) raised the concerns for possible device-device interaction due to presence of a strong magnetic array in the iPhone and MagSafe compatible cases. We thus tested this interaction on a patient with a Medtronic Inc. (Minneapolis, MN, USA) ICD. Institutional Review Board approved the study. Once the iPhone was brought close to the ICD over the left chest area, immediate suspension of ICD therapies was noted which persisted for the duration of the test. This was reproduced multiple times with different positions of the phone over the pocket. We hereby bring an important public health issue concerning the newer generation iPhone 12 which can potentially inhibit lifesaving therapy in a patient particularly while carrying the phone in upper pockets. Contemporary studies have shown minimal risk of electromagnetic interference with ICDs and prior smartphones without magnetic arrays. A recent case report highlighted magnetic interference with a fitness tracker wrist band deactivating an ICD up to distances of 2.4 cm. Apple Inc. website does mention magnetic interference with medical devices and prior consulting with physician and medical device manufacturers. Medical device manufacturers and implanting physicians should remain vigilant in making patients aware of this significant interaction of the iPhone 12 and other smart wearables with their cardiac implantable electronic devices". READ FULL ARTICLE If you have an interesting case, ECG or EGM please consider submitting a report. It's a great opportunity to show CPD and share experiences for others to learn from. Submissions should include a brief case background, a question with multiple choice possible answers, the answer, an explanation, a brief discussion section if relevant and a minimum of one reference and be sent to admin@bhrs.com with the subject heading 'BHRS Challenge Feature' As part of our ongoing collaboration with Radcliffe Cardiology we are planning to co-publish successful submissions on the BHRS website and on a new case-based web platform, led by Professor Angelo Auricchio and the Radcliffe Group called the Arrhythmia Academy As an incentive to submit cases the editor in chief of Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology Review (AER) journal, Dr Demosthenes Katritsis would like to select a 'winning case' each quarter and invite the author of these best cases to write a review or an expert opinion piece on the topic addressed, that would be published in the AER journal and indexed on PubMed. MORE DETAILS [iphone] Pauline2021-01-07T18:13:30+00:00 Close product quick viewx [bhrs-logo] British Heart Rhythm Society (formerly known as Heart Rhythm UK) is dedicated to improving all aspects of arrhythmia care and electrical device based therapies along with acting as a unifying focus for those professionals involved. The society was formed in 2005 by the amalgamation of the British Pacing and Electrophysiology Group (BPEG), the British Association of Arrhythmia Nurses (BANA) and the UK Interventional Electrophysiology Society (UKICES). CONTACT INFORMATION * 24A Market Street, Disley, Cheshire SK12 2AA UK Charity Number: 273307 Get Social QUICK LINKS * Become a Member * BHRS Council * News * Certification * Contact Us * Privacy Policy * Terms and Conditions BECOME A MEMBER (c) Copyright - | BHRS | All Rights Reserved | Designed & Powered by Tangled Web