Feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with an implantable loop recorder.
BACKGROUND
The implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a useful tool in the diagnosis of syncope. Our understanding of their functional and safety profile in interfering environments such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) becomes increasingly important as they become more prevalent.


METHODS
We report four patients with an ILR who underwent MRI. The ILR memory was cleared before MRI and no changes were made to programmed settings. Device interrogation took place immediately after the scan. Patients were surveyed for device movement and heating, in addition to cardiopulmonary symptoms after their MRI.


RESULTS
Following MRI scanning, all patients were asymptomatic and no device movement or heating was observed. In addition, the functionality of the device remained unaffected. Artifacts mimicking arrhythmias were seen in all ILR patients regardless of the type of MRI scan.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI scanning of ILR patients can be performed without harm to patient or device, but artifacts that could be mistaken for a tachyarrhythmia are seen frequently.
Wong
Jorge A
JA
Division of Cardiology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Yee
Raymond
R
Gula
Lorne J
LJ
Skanes
Allan C
AC
Ross
Ian G
IG
White
James B
JB
Klein
George J
GJ
Krahn
Andrew D
AD
D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis*