Stents

Safety:  Conditional

Risks:  Thermal

Conditions:

• All NON-metallic stents are MRI permissible immediately after implantation
• For non-coronary metallic stents
  • MRI permissible if implanted >6 weeks
  • If implanted <6 weeks, all conditions must be met to be MRI permissible
    • Confirm device is FDA cleared, and comply with conditions of FDA approval
    • Urgency and benefit of clinical indication may outweigh the theoretical risk of MRI. This should be assessed on a case-by-case bases and approved by a radiologist

Comments:

• Because of fluid flow through vascular stents, there is minimal risk of heating
• NON-vascular stents may have thermal injury risk and require patient monitoring

See also:

• Coronary stents
• Stent grafts

Bottom line: MRI permissible if non-metallic or implanted >6 weeks, otherwise all conditions must be met