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Current Postings on This Page (68):
• Concerned Tech and NancyD
-- Thanks to all for your comments and yes...to clarify, the Tesla strength
of an MRI scanner
cannot be adjusted
per se, although Philips Medical Systems makes a scanner that can be configured
to use different strength fields -- but it is not adjustable via a dial
or similar controller -- it can only operate at one strength per configuration.
If a patient needs an MRI and their stent is not "SAFE" for an MRI done
at 3.0 Tesla, then they need to be scanned by a lower strength unit, possibly
at the same hospital/facility or, if there is not one on the premises,
at a different facility. And thanks NancyD(!!) for your very clear explanation
and also for the link to www.mrisafety.com.
We also were referred to this site by John LaMarche, the Clinical Marketing
Manager for MR at Toshiba Medical Systems. Patients and healthcare professionals
can search "The
List" on this site and see information
about their device. It's also important to read through the site's Disclaimer.
The site was created and is maintained by physiologist Frank G. Shellock,
Ph.D.
as a service to the profession. Angioplasty.Org will be featuring
an article about Dr. Shellock and the site in the near future.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, August 16, 2010
• I am the MRI safety officer
at my hospital. I will try to explain why MRI facilities need the information
on stents (and
ALL metallic items implanted in your body). Implants that are tested
are rated as SAFE, CONDITIONAL or UNSAFE. Safe means we can scan immediately
with no conditions, conditional means we have to stay within certain
limits
set by the manufacturer when we scan. Unsafe is unsafe, period. A large
percentage of implants are rated as conditional. THAT is why we need
the make/model # of the implant. In addition, not all implants have been
tested
and those that have been may not have been tested at the higher tesla
field strengths now in use. And no, the tesla CANNOT be adjusted on an
MRI machine,
BUT, you can be sent to a lower tesla machine if needed. Also, not all
implants or stents have been tested as many are being added to the marketplace
daily. That being said, if we cannot get the information we need, a radiologist
can make the decision that the need for the MRI outweighs the risk. More
information can be found on www.mrisafety.com.
This site is used by MRI facilities for the
exact purpose of identifying safety of implants.
NancyD, Sacramento, California, USA, August 12, 2010
• To the editor - YOU CANNOT ADJUST THE TESLA OF
A MRI SYSTEM. Please inform yourself appropriately prior to posting uninformed
and dangerous information.
Concerned MRI Technologist, Melbourne Australia, August 12, 2010
• Can anyone answer this question -- are there
any coronary stents unsafe
for
a 1.5 T MRI ?
S CONAT, olympic medical center, Port Angeles, Washington, USA, July 23,
2010
• To all -- many stents have been approved by the
FDA for MRI imaging. But if there are any questions about your stent in
particular, you should contact the manufacturer of the stent. Before 2003,
all stents would be bare metal. To Lev, the multilink stent was made by
Guidant, now Abbott Vascular. To Patel, GE should be addressing these issues
with your lab. It's hard to believe that you are unable to adjust the Tesla
strength of your MRI. And Mimi42 -- the hospital hwere the stent was placed
MUST have the information. It would most likely be a Palmaz-Schatz or similar
stent (manufactured by Cordis/J&J).
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, July 16, 2010
• My husband had at least one stent implanted around
1993 and in 1996 had CABG following restenosis of the stent. He now needs
an MRI of the Cervical Spine. The Radiology center won't do it without
information about the brand of the stent. We can't get that information
at this point. Would it be dangerous to reply "no" to the question of whether
or not he has a stent?
Mimi42, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, June 27, 2010
• We upgraded our GE scanner recently . The gradients
are stronger than before and cannot be adjusted . So we have not been able
to scan patients who had cardiac stents. Ironically we were able to do
so in past . that has created a nightmare for doctors and patients trying
to schedule. May be someone would
guide us??
Patel, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA, June 16, 2010
• I have two stents Multi-Link Tetra for 8 years.
Could I perform MRI-investigation?
Lev Manashkin, Retiree, West Hartford, Connecticut, USA, May 18,
2010
• LucianF -- If the stent was placed in 2000, it
would be a bare metal type, not a drug-eluting or "medicated" stent
which weren't marketed until 2003. There should be a brand name or model
-- one
star or three star don't ring a bell. We'd strongly suggest calling Boston
Scientific Patient Services at 1.866.484.3268 for
specific assistance on this issue. Also definitely tell the
technicians
doing the MRI about the stent -- they can adjust the Tesla strength for
safety.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, May 14, 2010
• My father had a stent placed in 2000 and needs
an MRI of the lumbar spine now. The only information on the stent that
we have it that it was manufactured by Boston Scientific and it is either
a "one star" or "three star". We don't know if it was medicated or not.
Would it be safe to have the MRI. Thank you
for your answer.
LucianF, New York, USA, May 13, 2010
• Legacy stents such as the Palmaz-Schatz and AVE
have most likely not been testing specifically for MRI safety, although
more recent stents with virtually the same metallic composition have
been. It is also important that the MRI technician knows you have a stent,
so
that the strength of the MRI can be adjusted for maximum safety. We would
recommend contacting the manufacturer about a specific stent in question.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 20, 2010
• I have a 3.0 Palmaz-Schatz Stent placed in 1996.
Is it safe to have an MRI? If not, is there an alternative to MRI that
is safe?
Howard P., New York, New York, USA, April 7, 2010
• my father has yukon stent in RCA since 2005.
i want to know what type of stent is it? DES OR BMS. He has to undergo
MRI pelvis for Ca prstrate. is it safe?
Dr.Poonam gupta, safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, March 11, 2010
• I have an AVE stent #AVE DGFW3530. I understand
AVE has been bought out by Medtronic and all the part numbers have changed.
It was implanted 7/15/98,
making it over 10 years old. I am having back problems now and really need
an MRI, but my surgeon will not order a MRI unless he has assurance this
older stent
is truly MRI safe. Can anyone from Medtronic or someone who really knows respond
and let us know if this is safe? Please help! Thank you very much
John Oiger, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, February 22, 2010
• hi i am a 39 year old man.they put 2 stents in
sept 2008 and 2 more stent in nov 2009. my prob is that i work in power
dam..i make in a place where we do and transport eltricity.(H.Q)and here
there is a lot..like a lot off magnetic field.is there a danger at long
period if i work in that condition for like 9h a day...? thanks
Marco, Quebec, Canada, January 6, 2010
• I have six cypher cordis medicine eluting stents
in two coronary arteries (4 in one and 2 in another). I had an MRI of the
head a month ago and all was fine. Now I need a breast MRI due to a lump
and since this area is closer to the stents, will I have a problem with
heat? My stents are in over 2 years now.
Ammon, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, December 28, 2009
• I had an AVE 3.5 x 30mm stent implanted in my
LAF artery in 1998. It was one of the early bare metal stents. Anyone
know if it is MRI safe? Also had a
bypass done on 2004, and was wondering if the wires used to tie the bone back
together are mri ok. I have 2 sets of them as they needed to go in twice, and
they left the old wires is (internal bleeding problems. I need an MRI on my
spine now. Also had a CorboMedics Annuloplasty ring installed on my Mitral
valve. It
says it is MRI safe to 3.0 Telsa. Do they use higher strengths than that now.
Thanks.
John, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, December 16, 2009
• Who manufacturers the Tristar coronary stent?
Is it safe in a 3.0 Tesla
magnet?
SW, Rochester, New York, USA, October 10, 2009
• Could u please tell if 3 x 23 mm sonic stent MRI
safe.This is regard to a patient who needs urgent MRI scan. Many thanks.
Maninder K., London Upright MRI center, UK, September 30, 2009
• The safety of stents in the MRI enviroment is
dependent on field stength of the scanner. Magnets now clinically go
upto 7T with many being at 3T. Not all stents have been tested beyond 1.5T.
If they have not been tested patients will not be scanned at these field
stengths and therefore their appointment may need to be changed so that
they are scanned at a lower field.
Julie Pounder, University of Hull, UK, September 30, 2009
• is iliac symphony stents can be safe go under
mri procedure.thanks.
B, Indiana, USA, September 16, 2009
• I have a 10X60 mm Wallstent placed in my common
bile duct. I have auto-immunue pancreatitis. Can I have a MRI on the lumbar
region of my back, as well as my hips? PS I realize you are focussing on
heart stents, but I can't seem to locate a site with any info on this particular
subject and would appreciate just finding out if this type of stent is
just too "metallic" for this procedure. Thank you
for your consideration
D Draper, For personal information, AB Canada, August 30, 2009
• By and large, most stents are MRI safe -- but
this may vary from brand to brand and it is important to know which
stent is being discussed -- FDA approval for MRI safety in stents is given
for specific stents only. Also important is the exact make, model,
diameter and length of the stent. This information should be given
to
the MRI tech doing the imaging to make sure the magnetic field is within
safe limits.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, August 18, 2009
• I had a stent implanted in LAD in April 1998. (11 years ago). Is an MRI
safe for me now ?
C M P, Pune, India, August 13, 2009
• Are all cardiac stents safe for an MRI after
the year 1995?
Karen P., Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, August 6, 2009
• Ben H -- Yes the Endeavor stent is okay for MRI
use, but as Medtronic's
web site states: "...if you need an MRI, the
technician will need to operate the machine within certain limits. Be sure
to tell any doctor treating you that you have a stent and show them your
identification card." This is something we'd recommend no matter
what brand stent you have.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, August 2, 2009
• A previous
post has indicated that "the U.S. FDA approved both Boston Scientific's
Taxus and J&J's Cypher for immediate MRI." I have a Medtronic Endeavor
DES. Is there an FDA approval for MRI with this stent?
Thanks once again.
Ben H., Massachusetts, USA, August 2, 2009
• Antoinette -- read posts below and you'll note
that these stents are okay for MRI -- however, we always recommend letting
the MRI technician know how many and what type of stents you have BEFORE
the MRI.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, July 27, 2009
• I have seven stents two are multi-link zeta
the others are CYPHER. Due to lumbar problems I'd like to have an MRI
but now am hesitant to keep the appointment. I had restenosis in the multi-link
. At this point Ii am not sure what to do.
Last stents were in 2006.
Antoinette R., Brattleboro, Vermont, USA, July 27, 2009
• Judy -- the Racer stent is colbalt-chromium so
not only is it MRI-safe, but it also allows MRI visualization after implantation
more than a stainless steel stent would. However, we always recommend
that you convey this information to the MRI/MRA operators, so they can
make
sure not to subject the patient to greater than recommended magnetic
fields.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, June 3, 2009
• My father has a Cordis Hepacoat BX Sonic OTW
stent and two Racer Stent systems made by Medtronic, one in each kidney.
He needs an MRI of his Head and neck. Are these stents approved to be
safe for an MRI?
Judy W., Florida USA, May 27, 2009
• Any experience with having an MRI after a stent
implant?
Alma, Maine, USA, April 18, 2009
• I work screening patients for MRI. I like to
see the brand name of a person's stent or they don't enter the magnet
room. I make sure the patient is safe. I am told there are unsafe stents
out
there. What are they and their names? I have only come across safe ones
according to my safety manual.
cduce, Olympic Medical Center, Washington, USA, April 10, 2009
• Neville -- that's a good question. Most stents
are MRI-safe, but whether working long-term in an MRI environment might
cause a problem is something we haven't heard reported on. We would think
it would be okay, since you're not going to be the subject of the MRI.
Maybe the training program organizers have more info.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, January 12, 2009
• 1 ( one) coronary medicated stent was placed
in 2001 in Delhi Ascorts Hospital. Now I am planning to take 18-months
training on MRI and want to work as MRI Technician. Do I have any risk
in Under going the training as well as
to take it as my profession?
Neville D Rozario Bangladesh, January 7, 2009
• Ernest -- read the previous entries. MRI is OK
after stenting.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, January 3, 2009
• I am a 80 yr old male and have 5 monorail stents
in 2006 and 3 taxus in early 2007. Now I am advised that I need a lower
back MRI. Anybody can see a problem. Should I ask for low power imaging
or stay away from it all?
Ernest G., Connecticut, USA, December
25,
2008
• To repeat the answer to your questions, if you
look at these news releases from April 2005, you'll see that the
U.S. FDA approved both Boston
Scientific's Taxus and J&J's
Cypher for safe MRI, immediately after implantation -- no waiting
necessary..
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, December 5, 2008
• I have a palmaz-Schatz Stent placed in 1996 I
have had virtually no issues. The VA wants to do an MRI on my Hip. I
thought I was warned not to have an MRI performed. My product code is:
P51530 LOt#
HK 1193 Any Information would be appreciated.
Patrick Dwyer, Denver, Colorado, USA, December 3, 2008
• Found Murray Berman's experience to be very helpful.
I too had a Tristar bare metal stent in Dec 2000. I had a MRI done Aug
2008 without any side effects
or complications.
Stephen C., Ontario, Canada, September 28, 2008
• Is it safe to have an MRI procedure after having
a stent implant? My dad had an angioplasty procedure yr 2003. Is it safe?
please advice. thank you.
Glenda, Philippines, September 12, 2008
• I had a Cypher Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent
(CORDIS) from J and J inserted three weeks ago. I am now told I need
an MRI for my lumbar back problems. how long should I wait for the MRI.
I
can live a few weeks with the back problem.
Richard L., Pennsylvania, USA, July 24, 2008
• I am 63 yr. old female who had one drug eluting
sent placed in my right coronary artery on feb 2008,now I have sever pain
in the lower back and pelvic
joint area and I want to have an MRI for the area, Is it safe to have the test?
or I have to wait longer?
H.A., California, USA, June 21, 2008
• I am a engineer who consistently works around
MRI equipment. Reading these articles is it advisable to work on these
machines with stents in place?
ST, Georgia, USA, June 16, 2008
• Joann -- as indicated in earlier postings, the
FDA has found no problems with having an MRI immediately after stenting.
Can't say what might be causing your BP and vision problems. Have doctors
given any opinion?
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, May 22, 2008
• I had an MRI for shoulder problems on a Monday
then on the following Friday I had problems with my blood pressure going
high and blurred vision. I have had 4 other episodes like this. I had
a stainless stent put in my artery in Jan of 2001. Could there be in any
connection between the MRI and the blood pressure
going high?
Joann Birdwell, Lafayette, Tennessee, USA, May 18, 2008
• To Ray Z in Santa Monica -- My MRI was needed
to diagnose an herniated disc. I discussed the pains with my neurosurgeon.
he said these pains sometimes
occur because of the brace used during the MRI. It can cause irritation of
the nerves leading to the left side of the chest. Bottom line..no further
pain in
chest;
neck is repaired.
Bruce, Houston, Texas, USA, May 6, 2008
• To Bruce in Houston
TX - I have had 16 Coronary
Stents inserted and a month later (after the 16th) a Cervical and Thoracic
MRI - No problem. I need to ask. Was the Cervical MRI needed for an injury?
Could the injury have also been in the thoracic area causing you discomfort?
Perhaps you should look into
this.
RayZ, San Marcos, California, USA, April 3, 2008
• Chandra -- if you look at the posts below from
April 2005, you'll see that the U.S. FDA approved both Boston
Scientific's
Taxus and J&J's
Cypher for immediate MRI. Best wishes.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 1, 2008
• Dear Sir I am awaiting permission from someone as to whether or not I
am a candidate for MRI. In Oct 2006 I had two Johnson& Johnson Cypher 2 stents
implanted. Now I am suffering from Tongue Carcinoma and advised MRI. Am I able
to have the MRI? Please advice urgently.
R Chandra, India, March 31, 2008
• Bruce -- your story is very interesting.
We know that the FDA cleared MRI for stents, but we're not sure if they tested
for situations where there were 7 stents. You're the first person to
write in with this problem to our Forum. You should share your experience
with
the FDA and please let us know
how you are faring..
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, March 15, 2008
• Since 03/2006 I have had 7 stents placed (3 to
resolve a failed bypass). Last stent was 2/21/2008. On 03/12/2008 I underwent
an MRI of the cervical spine. The test was very uncomfortable and I was
unable to focus when leaving the facility. I experienced significant
chest pain centralized under the sternum most of the evening and was unable
to
sleep that night due to nightmares (which I never have). Today, 03/13/2008,
I have not completely recovered. I will do my best to avoid an MRI in
the future, no matter what the FDA says.
Bruce, Houston, Texas, USA, March 13, 2008
• Angela -- read the posts below. The FDA has cleared
both Cypher and Taxus drug-eluting stents for immediate MRI.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, January 5, 2008
• CAN MY HUSBAND HAVE A MRI WITH TAXUS EXPRESS
2. PLEASE GET BACK WITH ME.
Angela M., Alabama, USA, December 29, 2007
• Due to a long term ongoing knee problem- osteoarthritis,
I'm to understand that my doctor may be considering an MRI for this issue.
However I do have two Multi-Link Vision Cobalt Chromium Coronary Stents
in my right coronary artery. I'm to understand that this may represent
a significant problem with doing an MRI... Is there a specific reason
why?
Nita, Wichita, Kansas, USA, March 19, 2007
• Thank you for your very fast reply to me regarding
my enquiry about having an MRI with two stents from June 2000. The MRI
went well and no problems occured. Thank you.
Murray Berman B.Sc. Phm., Pharmacist, Toronto Ontario Canada,
April 24, 2006
• Murray -- the two drug-eluting stents available
in the U.S. were both approved for immedate MRI imaging last April. The
Tristar is a bare metal stent made by Guidant. The IFU
(Instructions For Use) from Guidant states "Do not perform a magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) scan on patients post-stent implantation until
the stent has completely endothelialized (eight weeks) to minimize the
potential for migration. The stent may cause artifacts in MRI scans due
to distortion of the magnetic field." Hope this helps. Please let
us know how things work out.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, March 20, 2006
• I awaiting permission from someone as to whether
or not I am a candidate for MRI. In June 2000 I had two Tristar stents
implanted. Dec 31 2005 I fell on my left shoulder and have a full tear
of of a tendon the Supraspatina. Am I able to have the MRI? My orthopedic
surgeon is delaying surgery until he is told it is OK. I am assuming that
in 2000 the stent was stainless steel ? Correct ? Thanks
Murray Berman B.Sc. Phm., Pharmacist, Toronto Ontario Canada,
March 20, 2006
• In Aug. 2004 I had 2 coronary stents placed: ACS
multi-linkpixel(13mm)and a Taxus Express2(20mm). During a cervical MRI
on 10-28-05 I felt heat and vibration in the sternum and just left of the
sternum in my chest about ten minutes into a proposed 30 minute MRI. It
was an "open MRI". I stopped the test. Anyone have an explanation for this?
Anyone have a similar experience? Would a "closed MRI" using less magnetism
get me through this test? Any responses are greatly appreciated.
John Colarusso, patient, Bronx, NY USA, October 28, 2005
• Ashok -- the reason MRI scans were avoided in
stent patients for several months after stent placement was to give the
endothelium (inner lining of the artery) a chance to cover and anchor the
stent -- there was concern that the strong magnetic field would dislodge
the metallic stent. Now tests have been run (see postings below) that have
shown this does not occur and the FDA now says it's okay to do an MRI immediate
post-stenting. Your hypothesis is, however, theoretically interesting --
that the iron in red blood cells is attracted to a magnetized stent. I
don't think the magnetism remains in the metal stent after an MRI, nor
would it be strong enough to cause red cells to congregate -- of course,
it would also be interesting to look at the data from stent patients who
have had MRI scans and see if the restenosis rate is abnormal.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, September 30, 2005
• I had an angioplasty done at Apollo Hospital
Chennai, India in December 1998 and then the doctors advised me to refrain
from high magnetic field like mri scan for the first 6 months after angioplasty.
In 2003 i had an MRI done and the doctors said it was ok. Being a physics
student its scientific as the metal stent would be magnetised and then
would attract cells therefore enhancing the chances of restenosis. All
the best
Ashok Punjabi, ONGC, Delhi, India, August 25, 2005
• UPDATE2: Today the FDA approved
the CYPHER stent from Johnson & Johnson / Cordis for immediate
MRI as well. So now both the drug-eluting stents have been okayed for
immediate MRI imaging!
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 20, 2005
• UPDATE: Just a few days ago, the FDA approved
Boston Scientific's TAXUS stent for MRI-compatibility. This means that
MRIs can be done immediately after stent placement. The company was able
to demonstrate that no ill effects are caused by MRI. This has something
to do with the stent designs, but also to the fact that newer generation
MRI scanning uses lower fields of power than the older machines, thus
the effect on metallic stents is nil. You can read the company's press
release here.
Other stents may possibly be safe as well, but the TAXUS is the only
one currently approved by the FDA.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, USA, April 09, 2005
• Is there a length of time one should wait
after a coronary artery stent is put in before allowing a patient to
have an MRI study, or can MRI be done safely immediately or a couple
of weeks after stent placement? Keith T. Chesser, M.D. UAB Medical West
Dep. of Radiology Birmingham, AL
Keith Chesser, M.D., UAB Medical West Radiology, Birmingham,
Alabama, USA, M.D. on Thursday, February 17, 2005
• My husband had a drug eluting stent placed
in his aorta July 2004. He needs to have a MRI for a shoulder problem.
Will the MRI have any effect on the stent or the dosage of the drug due
to the heat?
Pat Tenvold, Redwood City, CA 94062, October 16, 2004
• I am 48 year old female who underwent MRI and
MRA April 19,1999. I had stainless steel implant done in December of 1999.
I was frightened about having this done because I am not familiar with
the strength of the magnetism of the MRI. I kept repeating to those doing
the test that I had this implant and they didnt seem concerned.
Patricia C., Daytona Beach, Florida, USA, 26 Apr 2000
• As a magnetician, engineer and physicist, I can understand the question
relating to so-called non-magnetic stainless but I assure you your concerns may
be unfounded. Your question assumes that the force on the stent caused by huge
MRI magnetic field will move the stent against the surrounding tissue. Since
the stent is embedded in soft tissues I cannot see any such relative motion effects
coming into place. All tissue in question will "tug together" if at all. The
strain will occur well away from the stainless/artery boundary, if at all. Also
since the mass of the stent is so small, any resulting forces will be small as
well.
Matthew Dugas, Advanced Research Corporation, Minnesota, USA, November
22, 1998
• As an engineer who has received a Palmaz-Schatz
stent over two years ago, I am very interested in the answer to this question
also. My guess is that a hi-energy magnetic field may cause migration of
even the so called "non-magnetic" stainless steel stents, possibly causing
fracturing of plaque and or separation of arterial tissue.
Michael Izzi, patient & engineer, Long Island, New York, USA,
May 16, 1998
• Has anyone ever seen or heard of a problem in
any patient who has undergone an MR exam following recent stent placement,
i.e., within 24 to 48 hours?
Jerry Breen, MD, Dept. of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota,
USA, February 6, 1998
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