We were asked by your treating physician to perform an MRI examination on you. We are aware that you have a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted in your body, and such devices are not designed to be exposed to the magnetic field used in MRI examinations, as they may cause damage to the device.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is based on a strong, static, and variable magnetic field and radiofrequency (RF) radiation. These energies can affect pacemakers and implanted defibrillators, except for specific devices built to withstand these energies. Most devices are not built to withstand these energies and may be damaged, posing a risk to the patient's health during the examination.
You should know that there is a health risk associated with the examination, but with appropriate monitoring and programming of the pacemaker or defibrillator, this risk is not significant, but it does exist. You should inform the referring physician that you have a pacemaker or defibrillator, and despite the risk, the MRI information is crucial and justifies taking this risk. The referring physician should provide a letter authorizing the examination, indicating the reason for the necessity of the MRI and its urgency.
Also, we need to know details about the implanted device: type, implantation date, whether there were any additional electrodes implanted in the past, or if there are any epicardial electrodes that may create a special problem.
To perform the examination, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, where we ensure that you do not have any electronic devices or metal objects in your body (e.g., old shrapnel from war or metalwork). It is prohibited to enter the examination room with a hearing aid or any other electronic device, or if you have recently swallowed an endoscopic camera pill or a dummy capsule.
During the preparation for the examination, you will be asked to wear a gown, and the doctor will install an IV line for the contrast material injection (according to the referring physician's request).
During the examination, you will be asked to lie on your back without moving, and the examination will last approximately 40 minutes.
At the end of the examination, you will be taken out of the room on a bed, and a cardiologist will perform another check to ensure your well-being.
Around a month after the examination, you should come to the cardiology clinic for a follow-up check of your pacemaker. Please provide a prior commitment to the cardiology clinic at Shaare Zedek gates, in addition to the commitment to the MRI examination.