Physiologic changes during high field strength MR imaging.

High field strength MR imaging systems may require several kilowatts of RF power to obtain images. A fraction of this power is absorbed by the patient, and changes in body temperature have been measured in experimental animals. The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in body surface temperature and other physiologic parameters in humans during MR scanning at 1.5 T. Blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and axillary temperature measurements were obtained on 27 normal volunteers. Measurements were made at RF power levels of 0, 0.2, and 0.8 W/kg, with the power sequence randomized. In 14 volunteers receiving lumbar scans, statistically significant increases in temperature were observed at RF power levels of 0.2 (+0.2 +/- 0.1 degree C) and 0.8 (+0.5 +/- 0.1 degree C) W/kg. No significant changes related to RF power were observed in blood pressure or respiratory rate. At the 0.8 W/kg level there was a slight increase in heart rate (3 +/- 1.3 beats per minute). In the 13 patients receiving head scans, physiologic changes were substantially smaller. The temperature increases and other physiologic changes observed during MR scanning with the 1.5 T imager at RF powers of 0.2 and 0.8 W/kg were small and of no clinical concern. Additional studies should be performed in patients with cardiac failure, vascular occulusion, and metallic implants or prostheses.