Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an excellent body imaging modality. One limitation of MRI is that the physical environment may be a risk for patients with implantable metallic devices. In the past, a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) was an absolute MRI contraindication. However, since the introduction of MRI-conditional CIED, the indication for MRI examination has progressed significantly. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) examination can also be performed restrictively in patients with MRI-conditional CIED. With the physical MRI environment, the CIED located near the heart can impact especially a CMR examination focused on the heart. Furthermore, in basis of the physical MRI environment, CMR techniques have been designed for the visualization of a continuously beating heart with minimal image artifact. Therefore, physicians should be familiar with prerequisite conditions for a safe CMR, and prepare the CMR protocol to minimize CIED-related artifacts on CMR images.