Ex vivo evaluation of ferromagnetism and artifacts of cardiac occluders exposed to a 1.5-T MR system.

Magnetic resonance (MR) procedures are contraindicated for patients with certain ferromagnetic biomedical implants, primarily owing to the risk of movement or dislodgment of the implants by the static magnetic field. An additional concern is the amount of artifact that the implant produces, which can affect image quality and interpretation of the examination. Therefore, an ex vivo assessment of ferromagnetism and artifact was conducted for 12 different occluders used to treat patients with patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defects, and ventricular septal defects, in a 1.5-T MR system. Seven of the occluders, made of 304 stainless steel, were ferromagnetic and displayed deflection forces of 248-299 dynes. Five of the implants, made of MP35n, were nonferromagnetic. Artifacts were variable and depended primarily on the type and amount of metal used to construct the implant. The authors conclude that patients with ferromagnetic cardiac occluders may undergo MR procedures approximately 6 weeks after placement of these devices, to allow tissue growth to provide additional retentive force. After this time, it is highly unlikely that the magnetic fields associated with a 1.5-T MR system are capable of moving or dislodging any of these cardiac occluders.