Scientific Literature on MRI and Devices

The following articles describe the hazards and risks associated with MRI scanning of pacemaker patients. Some information in these articles may contain information related to off-label use of Medtronic products. Medtronic does not support or promote off-label use of its products

  1. Wilkoff B, Bello D, Taborsky M, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging in patients with a pacemaker system designed for the magnetic resonance environment. Heart Rhythm. January 2011;8(1):65-73.
  2. Bartsch C, Irnich W, Junge M, Stertmann WA, Risse M, Weiler G. Post-mortem evaluation of 415 pacemakers: in situ measurements and bench tests. Europace. March 2005;7(2):175-180.
  3. Faris OP, Shein M. Food and Drug Administration perspective: Magnetic resonance imaging of pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients. Circulation. September 19, 2006;114(12):1232-1233.
  4. Gimbel JR. The safety of MRI scanning of pacemakers and ICDs: what are the critical elements of safe scanning? Ask me again at 10,000. Europace. July 2010;12(7):915-917.
  5. Gimbel JR. Unexpected asystole during 3T magnetic resonance imaging of a pacemaker-dependent patient with a 'modern' pacemaker. Europace. September 2009;11(9):1241-1242.
  6. Gimbel JR. The AHA Scientific Statement of MRI in patients with devices: neat, but incomplete. Unwise and unsupported. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. June 2008;31(6):649-651.
  7. Gimbel JR, Bailey SM, Tchou PJ, Ruggieri PM, Wilkoff BL. Strategies for the safe magnetic resonance imaging of pacemaker-dependent patients. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. October 2005;28(10):1041-1046.
  8. Irnich W. Risks to pacemaker patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Europace. July 2010;12(7): 918-920.
  9. Kanal E, Barkovich AJ, Bell C, et al. ACR Guidance Document for Safe MR Practices: 2007. AJR. 2007;188:1447-1474.
  10. Levine GN, Gomes AS, Arai AE, et al. Safety of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cardiovascular devices: an American Heart Association scientific statement from the Committee on Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiac Catheterization, Council on Clinical Cardiology, and the Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention: endorsed by the American College of Cardiology Foundation, the North American Society of Cardiac Imaging, and the Society of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. Circulation. December 11, 2007;116(24):2878-2891.
  11. Luechinger R, Duru F, Zeijlemaker VA, Scheidegger MB, Boesiger P, Candinas R. Pacemaker reed switch behavior in 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging units: are reed switches always closed in strong magnetic fields? Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. October 2002;25(10):1419-1423.
  12. Martin ET, Coman JA, Shellock FG, Pulling CC, Fair R, Jenkins K. Magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac pacemaker safety at 1.5-Tesla. J Am Coll Cardiol. April 7, 2004;43(7):1315-1324.
  13. Mollerus M, Albin G, Lipinski M, Lucca J. Magnetic resonance imaging of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators without specific absorption rate restrictions. Europace. July 2010;12(7):947-951.
  14. Nazarian S, Halperin HR. How to perform magnetic resonance imaging on patients with implantable cardiac arrhythmia devices. Heart Rhythm. January 2009;6(1):138-143.
  15. Roguin A, Schwitter J, Vahlhaus C, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging in individuals with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices. Europace. March 2008;10(3):336-346.
  16. Sommer T, Naehle CP, Yang A, et al. Strategy for safe performance of extrathoracic magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 tesla in the presence of cardiac pacemakers in non-pacemaker-dependent patients: a prospective study with 115 examinations. Circulation. September 19, 2006;114(12):1285-1292.