Can patients with mitral annuloplasty (mitral valve repair) undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans?

MRI Safety for Patients with Mitral Annuloplasty

Patients with mitral annuloplasty (mitral valve repair) can safely undergo MRI scans as most modern annuloplasty rings are MRI-compatible.

MRI Safety Assessment for Mitral Valve Repairs

• Most contemporary mitral annuloplasty rings and bands used in mitral valve repair are made of materials that are MRI-compatible and considered safe for MRI scanning 1
• Mitral annuloplasty devices typically contain materials such as titanium alloys, polyester fabric, or other non-ferromagnetic materials that do not pose significant risks during MRI procedures 1
• The European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging recognizes that patients with valve repairs can generally undergo MRI examinations safely when appropriate screening is performed 1

Important Considerations Before MRI

• Patients should inform the MRI facility about their specific type of mitral valve repair to ensure compatibility verification 1
• The radiologist should confirm the specific annuloplasty ring model used in the patient's repair, as this information is critical for safety assessment 1
• Patients who have undergone mitral valve repair with concomitant CABG should have their complete surgical history reviewed before MRI to ensure no contraindicated devices were implanted during the combined procedure 2

Clinical Implications

• MRI is particularly valuable for patients with mitral valve repairs as it allows for:
  • Assessment of left ventricular reverse remodeling after restrictive mitral annuloplasty 3, 4
  • Evaluation of left atrial volumes and function post-repair 4
  • Detection of potential recurrent mitral regurgitation, which occurs in approximately 33% of patients after ischemic MR repair 5

Special Considerations

• For patients who have undergone complex mitral valve procedures with multiple devices (such as combined annuloplasty and edge-to-edge repair), additional verification of all implanted components may be necessary 1
• Patients with mitral annuloplasty who also have other cardiac devices (e.g., pacemakers, ICDs) should undergo comprehensive evaluation to ensure all devices are MRI-compatible 1
• MRI technicians should be informed about the patient's mitral valve repair to optimize imaging protocols and minimize potential artifacts from the annuloplasty ring 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Assuming all annuloplasty rings are the same - different manufacturers use different materials, and older devices may have different MRI compatibility profiles 1
• Failing to distinguish between mitral valve replacement (which may involve mechanical valves that could be contraindicated for MRI) and mitral valve repair with annuloplasty (which is generally MRI-compatible) 1
• Not accounting for the possibility of multiple cardiac procedures - patients may have had additional interventions beyond the mitral annuloplasty that could affect MRI safety 2