MRI in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: A comprehensive review

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a commonly used non-ionizing radiation dependent imaging modality which has an excellent spatial resolution with the capability to provide physiological information. Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are used in modern cardiology with a frequency of 1:50 over 75 years of age and nearly one in three people in this population required MRI during their lifetime. Changes in the CIED structure, electronics, and algorithms paired with changes in the protocol design of MRI have created a relatively safe environment for performing MRI in patients with CIED. Despite their documentation in literature and a guideline document from a professional society, significant skepticism exists in doing MRI in patients with CIEDs. We intend to give an overview of interactions between MRI and CIEDs, including the evidence available in this regard and conclude with the suggestion of a protocol for safely carrying out an MRI in patients with CIEDs.