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Transesophageal cardiac pacing during magnetic resonance imaging: Feasibility and safety considerations
Author(s) -
Hofman Mark B. M.,
de Cock Carel C.,
van der Linden Johannes C.,
van Rossum Albert C.,
Visser Frans C.,
Sprenger M.,
Westerhof N.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.1910350320
Subject(s) - catheter , specific absorption rate , magnetic resonance imaging , medicine , nuclear medicine , lead (geology) , radiology , biomedical engineering , telecommunications , geomorphology , computer science , antenna (radio) , geology
The feasibility and safety of transesophageal cardiac pacing during clinical MRI at 1.5 Tesla is considered. An MRI compatible pace catheter was developed. In vitro testing showed a normal performance of the pulse generator, image artifacts that extended less than 11 mm from the catheter, and a less than 5% increase in noise. Cardiac stimulation induced by MRI was not observed and, theoretically, is not expected. Potentially, tissue around the catheter tip may become heated. This heating (Δ T ) was monitored. Eight dogs were exposed to MRI during pacing. For low RF radiation exposure, a time‐averaged squared B 1 field below 0.08 p T 2 (SAR < 0.03 W/kg), Δ T was below 1°C. For high RF radiation exposure, but at normal RF radiation specific absorption rate (0.4 W/kg), Δ T was 5°C. Thus, transesophageal atrial pacing during MRI at low RF exposure seems to be possible to perform cardiac stress studies or to correct unstable heart rates.