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Sources and Hazards of MRI Electromagnetic Interference

MRI has different sources of electromagnetic interference:

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) produced during the MRI has the potential to induce several hazardous effects on implantable cardiac devices:

Effects of static magnetic field

  • Force and torque on the IPG and/or leads resulting in damage to the implanted system, damage to surrounding tissue, lead dislodgment, and/or patient discomfort during MRI exam
  • Magnetization of IPG components resulting in corruption of normal device functionality

Effects of gradient magnetic fields
The gradient (changing) magnetic fields may induce voltages/currents on the implanted lead(s) causing the following hazards:

  • Continuous capture or VT/VF
  • Reduced energy of pacing pulses resulting in loss of pacing capture
  • Over-sensing and/or under-sensing resulting in accelerated pacing or pacing inhibition
  • IPG reset resulting in mode change to demand pacing and potential pacing inhibition
  • Damage to normal IPG functionality or mechanical integrity
  • Erroneous diagnostic data

Effects of Radio Frequency waves
The RF waves may induce energy on the implanted lead(s) causing the following hazards:

  • Lead electrode heating resulting in tissue damage and loss of sensing and/or pacing capture
  • Continuous capture or VT/VF
  • Reduced energy of pacing pulses resulting in loss of pacing capture
  • Over-sensing and/or under-sensing resulting in accelerated pacing or pacing inhibition
  • IPG reset resulting in mode change to demand pacing and potential pacing inhibition
  • Damage to normal IPG functionality or mechanical integrity
  • Erroneous diagnostic data

Effects of combined EM fields (static magnetic, gradient magnetic, and/or RF)

  • Vibration of the IPG resulting in damage to normal IPG functionality or mechanical integrity
  • Vibration of the IPG and/or leads resulting in tissue damage, lead dislodgment, and/or patient discomfort during MRI exam
  • IPG case heating resulting in tissue heating/damage and/or patient discomfort during MRI exam

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