Preliminary findings on the safety of 1.5 and 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in cardiac pacemaker patients

Introduction Modern pacemakers are designed to allow patients to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under a set of specific conditions. Aim of this study is to provide confirmatory evidence of safety and performance of a new pacing system (ImageReady™, Boston Scientific) in patients undergoing 1.5 and 3T MRI. Methods and results Two prospective, nonrandomized, single‐arm studies were designed to provide confirmatory data of no impact of MRI on device function, lead parameters, and patient conditions in subjects implanted with the system undergoing a clinically non‐indicated 1.5T and 3T MRI, respectively. Device measurements were done within 1 hour before and after the scan and at 1 month follow‐up. Thirty‐two subjects underwent MRI visit (17 subjects with 1.5T MRI and 15 subjects with 3T MRI). There were no unanticipated adverse effects related to the pacemaker. Device measurements taken pre‐ and post‐MRI scan did not show any clinical relevant change that could indicate an effect of the MRI on the device or at the lead‐tissue interface (RV threshold change: 0.01 ± 0.13 V, P = 0.60; RA threshold change: 0.01 ± 0.11 V, P = 0.53; R wave change: −0.44 ± 1.73 mV, P = 0.36; R wave change: 0.12 ± 1.67 mV, P = 0.73), with data confirmed at 1‐month follow‐up visit. Conclusion The study documented safety of the pacing system in the 1.5T and 3T MRI environment by showing no adverse events related to device or MRI scan. Additional data are required to cover the more complex scenarios involving different diagnostic needs, conditions of use, clinical conditions, and new emerging technologies.