Patient Scanning Process MRI Access

The patient scanning process refers to the steps that must be followed to help ensure patient safety during an MRI scan. On this page, you will find instructions for determining if a patient with a Medtronic SureScan™ System meets the criteria to receive an MRI, as well as instructions to follow before, during, and after an MRI scan.

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Radiology Checklist for Transvenous Systems

Step 1: Schedule

Contact cardiology to obtain clearance documents, including SureScan Programming Order, and the applicable SureScan conditions for use (including whether or not the patient is eligible for a 1.5T or a 3T MRI scan).
Schedule a health professional who will monitor the heart rate of patient during MRI exam (with ECG or pulse oximetry). A patient with a defibrillator or a CRT-D device must be monitored the entire time SureScan mode is programmed to On.
Schedule a trained cardiology professional who will program the patient’s pacemaker, defibrillator, or CRT system in and out of SureScan mode.

Step 2: Prep patient for scan

Confirm a health professional who has completed radiology SureScan training is present.
Ensure device is programmed in SureScan mode prior to the MRI examination.

Step 3: Conduct MRI scan using the following guidelines

Horizontal field, cylindrical bore, clinical system for hydrogen proton imaging
Static magnetic field of one of the following strengths
(Refer to the table below):
- 1.5T
- 3T
Maximum spatial gradient of ≤ 20 T/m (2000 gauss/cm)
Gradient systems with maximum gradient slew rate performance per axis of
≤ 200 T/m/s

1.5T — MRI radiofrequency (RF) power	3T — MRI radiofrequency (RF) power
1.5T — MRI radiofrequency (RF) power Normal Operating Mode Whole body averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) must be ≤ 2.0 W/kg Head SAR must be ≤ 3.2 W/kg	3T — MRI radiofrequency (RF) power First Level Controlled Operating Mode or Normal Operating Mode B_1+RMS must be ≤ 2.8 μT when the isocenter (center of the MRI bore) is inferior to the C7 vertebra Scans can be performed without B_1+RMS restriction when the isocenter is at or superior to the C7 vertebra (see Figure 1)

C7 Vertebra — **Figure 1: Illustration showing the new labeling for 3T MR conditionality.**

Click to enlarge(opens new window)

Step 4: Provide appropriate patient monitoring and rescue

Pacemaker and CRT-P Requirements: Proper patient monitoring* must be provided during the MRI scan. An external defibrillator must be available nearby during the MRI procedure.
ICD and CRT-D Requirements: Proper patient monitoring*must be provided the entire time SureScan is programmed to On. An external defibrillator must be immediately available the entire time MRI SureScan is programmed to On.

*This includes visual and verbal contact with the patient and monitoring heart rate using instrumentation such as pulse oximetry or electrocardiography.

Step 5: Manage patient post-scan

Ensure a trained professional programs the patient’s device back to previous settings.

Download the SureScan Systems Patient Scanning Process PDF for a complete outline of the responsibilities of radiology and cardiology professionals.

pdf SureScan Systems Patient Scanning Process (.pdf) (opens new window)

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