Faculty Collaboration Database

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Children is Safe with Most Pacemaker Systems, Including Those with Epicardial Leads. Pediatr Cardiol 2020 Apr;41(4):801-808

Date

03/14/2020

Pubmed ID

32166409

DOI

10.1007/s00246-020-02316-z

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85081932890 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   25 Citations

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with pacemakers remains concerning because of possible magnetic field effects on the device. Many pacemaker models are labeled as non-conditional, or contraindicated for MRI, or do not have any specific safety guidelines listed. This study describes our experience with pacemaker function and adverse events in pediatric and young adult patients after clinically indicated MRI scanning at 1.5 Tesla (T). We hypothesized that generator battery voltage, pacemaker lead threshold, and lead impedance would not be altered by MRI. This was a retrospective review of Children's Wisconsin clinical MRI data for all patients with pacemakers scanned between January 1, 2010 and March 31, 2018. Pacemakers were interrogated by the Electrophysiology Team before and immediately after MRI and at outpatient follow up. Twenty-one patients underwent forty-four MRI scans. No significant immediate changes were seen in any pacemaker parameter for any manufacturer/model/lead at the time of MRI. At first clinical follow up post MRI, (median 4.4 months, range 0.2-12.3), battery voltage was reduced (2.78 V pre-MRI versus 2.77 V at follow up, p = 0.02), but there were no other significant changes. No adverse events were noted. Pediatric patients with pacemakers, including those with epicardial leads, can be scanned at 1.5 T safely without alteration in pacemaker function. Using appropriate precautions, pediatric patients with pacemakers can be imaged with MRI.

Author List

Bireley M, Kovach JR, Morton C, Cava JR, Pan AY, Nugent M, Samyn MM

Authors

Joseph R. Cava MD, PhD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Joshua Kovach MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Amy Y. Pan PhD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Margaret Mary Samyn MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Child
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Pacemaker, Artificial
Retrospective Studies
Risk Assessment
Young Adult