Research

In-vitro mapping of E-fields induced near pacemaker leads by simulated MR gradient fields

Howard I Bassen¹ and Gonzalo G Mendoza²

¹  Division of Physics, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, FDA, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, USA

²  School of Engineering, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA

author email corresponding author email

BioMedical Engineering OnLine 2009, 8:39doi:10.1186/1475-925X-8-39

Published:	15 December 2009

Abstract

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers is generally contraindicated but some clinicians condone scanning certain patients. We assessed the risk of inducing unintended cardiac stimulation by measuring electric fields (E) induced near lead tips by a simulated MRI gradient system. The objectives of this study are to map magnetically induced E near distal tips of leads in a saline tank to determine the spatial distribution and magnitude of E and compare them with E induced by a pacemaker pulse generator (PG).

Methods

We mapped magnetically induced E with 0.1 mm resolution as close as 1 mm from lead tips. We used probes with two straight electrodes (e.g. wire diameter of 0.2 mm separated by 0.9 mm). We generated magnetic flux density (B) with a Helmholtz coil throughout 0.6% saline in a 24 cm diameter tank with (dB/dt) of 1 T/sec (1 kHz sinusoidal waveform). Separately, we measured E near the tip of leads when connected to a PG set to a unipolar mode. Measurements were non-invasive (not altering the leads or PG under study).

Results

When scaled to 30 T/s (a clinically relevant value), magnetically-induced E exceeded the E produced by a PG. The magnetically-induced E only occurred when B was coincident with or within 15 msec of implantable pacemaker's pulse.

Conclusions

Potentially hazardous situations are possible during an MR scan due to gradient fields. Unintended stimulation can be induced via abandoned leads and leads connected to a pulse generator with loss of hermetic seal at the connector. Also, pacemaker-dependent patients can receive drastically altered pacing pulses.