Purpose or Case Report: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has historically been restricted for patients with pacemakers, defibrillators, or other cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) due to safety concerns. Despite the introduction of MR conditional pacemakers in 2008, access to MRI in patients with CIEDS remains limited.
MRI remains the diagnostic imaging study of choice for many indications and is necessary to prevent delayed diagnosis and the decision to proceed with MRI should follow a rigorous risk benefit assessment:
Risks of:
Lead heating causing injury at their tips
Increased pacing thresholds
Sudden battery depletion
Inappropriate sensing/pacing
The location of the image should be considered because if the request includes the area of the CIED then potential artifacts may decrease the diagnostic quality. However, an MRI remote from the location of the CIED entails a negligible risk of lead heating and MRI may be performed safely with continuous patient monitoring throughout the scan. In addition, in pediatric patients the necessity of anesthesia or sedation must be well-thought-out as it conveys additional risk to the patient.
There is growing evidence from adult literature that MRI may be performed safely in patients with CIEDs with transvenous leads when appropriate protocols are followed. The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) 2017 expert consensus statement indicates that MRI is reasonable in patients with MR non-conditional transvenous CIEDs if there are no fractured, epicardial, or abandoned leads. The Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES) of 2021 included that MRI may be considered in pediatric patients with epicardial or abandoned leads on a case-by-case basis. However, performing MRI in patients with CIEDs is a resource-intensive service and requires rigorous implant investigation, preparation, and planning as well as close coordination between treating physicians and radiologist.
This educational exhibit summarizes current literature on the safety of MRI in patients with CIEDs and takes examples from our practice to build an evaluation program that allows for safe access to MRI in patients with CIEDs
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