Are Current Cardiovascular Stents MRI Safe?

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular medicine
• Radiology
• Medical device engineering

Background:

• Over half a million coronary stents are implanted worldwide annually.
• Neurologists and radiologists often encounter patients with recent cardiac or carotid stents presenting with acute stroke.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a crucial diagnostic tool for stroke evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and classify major worldwide stent types.
• To assess the magnetic properties (ferromagnetism) of these stents in relation to MRI.
• To determine the safety of performing MRI in patients with cardiac and carotid stents.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of major global stent models.
• Classification of stents based on material composition and design.
• Analysis of stent ferromagnetism and potential interactions with MRI fields.

Main Results:

• All currently available major stents were classified.
• Analysis confirmed that all reviewed stents exhibit negligible ferromagnetism.
• No adverse interactions were identified between current stents and MRI procedures.

Conclusions:

• Current coronary and carotid stents are MRI safe.
• MRI can be performed at any time following stent implantation without contraindication.
• This finding simplifies stroke management in patients with cardiovascular implants.