Cardiovascular catheters and accessories: ex vivo testing of ferromagnetism, heating, and artifacts associated with MRI.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MR safety of cardiovascular catheters and accessories. Intravascular cardiovascular catheters and accessories were tested for MR safety at 1.5 T using previously described techniques with respect to the evaluation of magnetic field attraction (deflection angle method), heating (temperature measured immediately before and after performing MRI), and artifacts (using a fast spoiled gradient-recalled acquisition in steady state [GRASS] pulse sequence). Two devices were attracted (RV pacing lead and Oximetrix 3 SO2 optical module) by the static magnetic field. Each of the other objects displayed no attraction. Heating was +0.2 degrees C for the sample cardiovascular catheter tested (Opticath). Artifacts varied from moderate to severe, depending on the amount and type of metal present in the device. Despite these ex vivo test results, further safety consideration should be given to the cardiovascular devices that have a conductive wire component (ie, certain types of the cardiovascular catheters) because of the potential for inducing current and excessive heating in these devices during MRI, especially using a high-field-strength MR system. The cardiovascular catheters evaluated in this study or those with a similar design are not recommended for use in patients undergoing MRI procedures.