Comparison of measured and simulated cardiac magnetostimulation thresholds in eight pigs

We use a combined electromagnetic-electrophysiological modeling framework to predict cardiac stimulation (CS) thresholds in individualized porcine body models and compare those simulations to thresholds measured in eight pigs using strong dB/dt pulses. For all pigs, the simulated and measured thresholds agree within 30%, and no significant differences between simulations and measurements were detected (p<0.05, paired t-test). The threshold model uncertainty was found to be ~25% in a sensitivity analysis of the relevant model parameters. A well-validated model may help inform appropriate safety limits for MRI gradients to protect patients from CS without overly restricting gradient performance.