MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING IN A PATIENT WITH A DUAL-CHAMBER PACEMAKER

The presence of an implanted cardiac pacemaker has been considered an absolute contraindication for magnetic resonance imaging due to the in teractions between the pulse generators and the magnetic and radiofreq uency fields generated by the magnetic resonance unit. We describe the case of a patient with a dual-chamber pacemaker who underwent two mag netic resonance imaging examinations of the head without any sequelae. Both procedures were performed with a I Tesla unit, with the pacemake r programmed to the AOO mode. The only interference observed was activ ation of the reed switch - probably due to the static magnetic field-r esulting in asynchronous atrial pacing at the magnet rate. Although th e general policy of never exposing a patient with a pacemaker to magne tic resonance imaging should not be revised, we think that if the test ing is considered essential, it could be safely used in certain carefu lly selected patients.