Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Assessing the Risks Associated with MRI in Patients with a Pacemaker or Defibrillator
Robert J Russo1, Heather S Costa1, Patricia D Silva1
1From the Scripps Research Institute (R.J.R.), the La Jolla Cardiovascular Research Institute (R.J.R., P.D.S.), University of California, San Diego (U.B.-G.), and Scripps Memorial Hospital (S.L.H., G.T.T.), La Jolla, the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles (N.G.B.), and Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, Burbank (R.H.M.S.) - all in California; the Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson (H.S.C.); Intermountain Medical Center, Salt Lake City (J.L.A., A.E.T.); Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Falls Church, VA (A.A.); Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh (R.W.W.B.), and Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington (J.V.F.) - both in Pennsylvania; Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (R.L.); Providence Heart Institute, Southfield, MI (C.E.M.); Oklahoma Heart Institute, Tulsa (E.T.M.); University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson (A.L.R.); Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (J.C.R.); Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown (J.D.S.), and Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging, Carnegie Hill Radiology, New York (S.U., S.D.W.) - both in New York; Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston (D.J.S.); and Baptist Health, Lexington, KY (G.F.T.).
Patients with non-MRI-conditional pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) can safely undergo 1.5 tesla MRI scans. This study found no device failures or deaths in patients who were properly screened and had their devices reprogrammed before the procedure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Radiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) traditionally contraindicate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
- Non-MRI-conditional pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) pose specific risks during MRI.
- A prospective registry was established to evaluate these risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the safety of 1.5 tesla MRI in patients with non-MRI-conditional pacemakers or ICDs.
- To assess adverse events associated with MRI in this patient population.
- To establish risks for patients undergoing clinically indicated MRI.
Main Methods:
- Prospective registry of patients with pacemakers or ICDs undergoing 1.5 tesla MRI.
- Device interrogation before and after MRI with standardized protocol and reprogramming.
- Primary endpoints included death, device failure, arrhythmia, loss of capture, or reset.
Main Results:
- No deaths, lead failures, losses of capture, or ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 1500 MRI cases.
- One ICD generator required replacement due to improper pre-scan programming.
- Minor events like self-terminating atrial arrhythmias and partial electrical resets were observed in a small number of patients.
Conclusions:
- Clinically indicated nonthoracic MRI at 1.5 tesla is safe for patients with non-MRI-conditional pacemakers or ICDs.
- Proper screening and device reprogramming are crucial for patient safety.
- No device or lead failures occurred when protocol was followed.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...