MRI Safety

Our manuals contain the latest instructions and information for cardiac physicians, radiologists and MR technologists. We recommend that you download and review the most current version any time a patient with an Abbott product needs an MRI.

Preparing For Your Patient’s MRI

Following is some high-level information about preparing for and administering an MRI with patients with a leadless pacemaker, traditional pacemaker, ICD, CRT-D or CRT-P. Refer to the manuals for CardioMEMS HF System or MR Conditional ICMs for details about MRIs with those devices.
 

For Cardiac Physicians

1) Confirm MRI readiness

To look up your patient’s system, use the Product Search tool to determine whether your patient’s device and leads (if applicable) are safe for an MRI.

Based on the country you select, you can choose the device and lead combination (if applicable) to get scan parameters. If a device is not shown in the list, it is not MR Conditional. Alternatively, you can also use the latest MRI Manuals to determine scan parameters.
 

2) Confirm that no adverse conditions to MRI scanning are present and review potential adverse effects

Download the MRI Ready Systems Manual or MRI Ready Leadless System Manual to review a list of adverse conditions and effects.
 

3) Generate a report of the patient’s permanently programmed parameters

CAUTION: Do not bring any external control devices, such as the Merlin™ Patient Care System (PCS) Programmer, SJM MRI Activator™ handheld device, or AVEIR™ Link Module into the scanner magnet room (Zone IV). These devices are considered MR Unsafe.

The Merlin PCS Programmer will print to the default printer (internal printer, external printer or PDF).

NOTE: Device diagnostic data may be suspended or cleared when MRI Settings are enabled. Download the MRI Ready Systems Manual or MRI Ready Leadless System Manual to review how data will be handled by each system.
 

4) Select and save MRI Settings

The MRI parameter settings are selected at the physician's discretion.

The default MRI parameter settings are automatically stored in the Abbott MR Conditional device. Download the MRI Ready Systems Manual or MRI Ready Leadless System Manual for details on default settings and how to save modified settings for scanning.

5) Review the MRI checklist

Follow the checklist instructions within Merlin PCS Programmer. Download the MRI Ready Systems Manual or MRI Ready Leadless System Manual to see examples of checklist screens and get additional details about the checklist.
 

6) Programming MRI Settings

Once you have completed the checklist, select the Program MRI Settings button to enable MRI Settings.

It is required to program the device to MRI Settings as part of the MRI scan workflow.
 

Abbott's MRI Ready High Voltage Device Setup for GALLANT and ENTRANT ICD and CRT-Ds (11:45)

Learn the steps for safely preparing Abbott’s MRI Ready Gallant™ and Entrant™ High Voltage ICD and CRT-D devices for an MRI scan.

7) Disable the MRI Settings

Immediately following the MRI procedure, follow the instructions in the MRI Ready Systems Manual or MRI Ready Leadless System Manual to revert to the permanently programmed settings.

 

For Radiologists and MR Technologists

1) Confirm MRI Readiness

To look up your patient’s system, use the Product Search tool to determine whether your patient’s device and leads (if applicable) are safe for an MRI.

Based on the country you select, you can choose the device and lead combination (if applicable) to get scan parameters. If a device is not shown in the list, it is not MR Conditional. Alternatively, you can also use the latest MRI Manuals to determine scan parameters.

2) Confirm that no adverse conditions to MRI scanning are present and review potential adverse effects

Don’t scan the patient if any adverse conditions are present. Download the MRI Ready Systems Manual or MRI Ready Leadless System Manual to review a list of adverse conditions and effects.
 

3) Select the correct scan parameters

Download the MRI Ready Systems Manual or MRI Ready Leadless System Manual to check the MRI scan parameter tables for the applicable scan and identify the settings for RF Transmit Conditions and scan regions.

Be sure to check the lead combination(s) (if applicable) to ensure you select the correct settings.
 

4) Check the MRI Settings status

CAUTION: Do not bring any external control devices, such as the Merlin Patient Care System (PCS) Programmer, SJM MRI Activator handheld device, or AVEIR Link Module into the scanner magnet room (Zone IV). These devices are considered MR Unsafe.

Download the MRI Ready Systems Manual or MRI Ready Leadless System Manual for details about checking the MRI Settings status with and without the MRI Activator handheld device.
 

5) Perform the scan and monitor the patient

Proper patient monitoring must be provided during the MRI scan. This includes continuous monitoring of the patient's hemodynamic function.

Download the MRI Ready Systems Manual or MRI Ready Leadless System Manual for additional details about patient monitoring.
 

6) Disable the MRI Settings

If you are not using the MRI Activator, MRI Settings must be disabled by the patient's device management physician or clinician using the Merlin PCS Programmer and AVEIR Link Module (if applicable).