Recent innovations in the development of magnetic resonance imaging conditional pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators

Abstract

The first generation of magnetic resonance conditional pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators has finally arrived in clinical practice after many years of development. These devices have been optimized to properly function within magnetic fields of 1.5 T and ensure safe operation in controlled environments. Further progress is needed to develop a new generation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conditional devices that can operate in higher powered MRI machines (3 T) which produce clearer images. (Cardiol J 2012; 19, 1: 98–104)