MRI is often most desired diagnostic tool for patients who have heart problems leading to insertion of a cardial pacemaker or ICD or defibrillators as they are made of metals so MRI is usually not performed in these patients fearing disruption of these devices as under MRI magnetic and radio waves. The new study in The New England Journal of Medicine “confirms that pretty much anybody who has a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator can, with very few restrictions, safely get an MRI scan if they need it,” as long as the devices are properly adjusted before the scan and safeguards are in place, said the coauthor Dr.
professor of medicine, radiology and biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. To prevent problems, the researchers reprogrammed the devices to adopt a standard heart rhythm for people whose hearts won’t beat on their own and disabled functions that might…
