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Strategies for the Safe Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Pacemaker‐Dependent Patients
Author(s) -
GIMBEL J. ROD,
BAILEY SHANE M.,
TCHOU PATRICK J.,
RUGGIERI PAUL M.,
WILKOFF BRUCE L.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2005.00230.x
Subject(s) - medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , artificial cardiac pacemaker , radiology , nuclear medicine , lead (geology) , cardiology , geomorphology , geology
Objective: To determine if strategies used to safely scan nonpacemaker‐dependent patients could be applied to facilitate safe MRI of pacemaker‐dependent patients.Interventions: Ten pacemaker‐dependent patients underwent a total of 11 MRI scans of the head and neck. Screening, reprogramming VOO or DOO at 60 ppm, and monitoring strategies were used to facilitate MRI. A transmit‐receive coil was used and MRI pulse sequences were modified to limit the whole‐body specific absorption rate (SAR).Results: All scans proceeded uneventfully. No difficulties in post‐MRI telemetry or interrogation were seen and no post‐MRI programming changes were noted. No patient experienced arrhythmia or symptoms during or immediately after MRI. Battery status remained unchanged. No patient experienced post‐MRI change in sensing thresholds. Three patients showed no change in the atrial or ventricular pacing thresholds when the pre‐MRI values were compared to the immediate post‐MRI values and the 3‐month follow‐up values. All other patients showed a rise or fall of 0.5 V in their chamber threshold values when the pre‐MRI, post‐MRI, and 3‐month follow‐up values were compared. More patients showed a fall in their pacing thresholds than a rise post‐MRI.Conclusion: While clearly a higher risk group, like nonpacemaker‐dependent patients, MRI might be performed in pacemaker‐dependent patients if appropriate pacemaker reprogramming, patient monitoring, and MRI scanning techniques are implemented.