title: Feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with an implantable loop recorder.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jorge A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Lorne J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Gula
authors.forename: Allan C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Skanes
authors.forename: Ian G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Krahn
mesh_terms: 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*