Cardiovascular imaging in children with cardiac implantable electronic devices

The number of children with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is increasing at a time of rapid growth in cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) and cardiac computed tomography (CT) utilization. The presence of CIEDs poses challenges with respect to imaging safety and quality. A thoughtful approach to cardiovascular imaging in patients with CIEDs begins with an awareness of the clinical indications to determine the most appropriate imaging modality. Understanding device characteristics allows one to ensure that the proper safety measures are taken before and during cardiac MR and cardiac CT examinations. Despite the propensity of CIEDs to cause image artifact, several techniques are available to counteract these artifacts and preserve imaging quality.