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Like Philips, in November 2022, this time it was the manufacturers Dräger and Resmed who informed the Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) of a problem with their masks used in particular by patients suffering from sleep apnea . They report possible interference between the magnets of these ventilation device masks with implanted metal medical devices such as pacemakers.
This is information that Doctissimo shared with you in November 2022: the Dutch giant Philips reported a compatibility problem between the magnets present in certain models of ventilation device masks and medical devices implanted in patients, such as pace-makers . This time, the same problem is reported by two other manufacturers of this type of device: the German Dräger and the American Resmed.
An announcement made by the Medicines Safety Agency
In its press release, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) explains that these interferences “may occur when patients or members of their household have implanted metal devices. a pacemaker, for example”and are likely to be near these masks containing magnets (at a distance of less than 15 cm)”. This interference can then cause implanted devices to malfunction.
A little less than fifteen cases reported
On September 19, 2022, a case of interference was reported by Philips in France, “without consequences for the patient” according to the ANSM. And across the world, a total of fourteen cases have been recorded, mainly in the United States. According to the Agency, patients using this type of mask will soon be informed by their provider of home health.
What should patients do?
“Any device with a magnet may cause interference with devices containing metals” recalls the ANSM. Two scenarios are possible:
- “If I do not wear, neither I nor anyone in my household, an implanted metal device, mentioned above: I am not affected by this contraindication, I can therefore continue to use my mask with magnets; we remind you that in general, the risk of interference with any metallic device, implanted or not, can be avoided beyond 15 cm” estimates the ANSM;
- “If I wear, or if someone in my household wears, an implanted metal device mentioned above: I promptly contact my doctor for advice and my home health provider (PSAD) to replace my mask by a new mask without magnet”.
Finally, while waiting for your new mask, it is best not to stop using the old one, the Agency recommends. “While waiting for replacement, we advise you not to immediately stop using your mask with magnets on your own, without having discussed it with your doctor. We remind you that in general, the risk of interference with a metallic device, implanted or not, can be avoided beyond 15 cm“.
You can find on the ANSM website all mask references concerned.