FDA issues MRI safety recommendations for patients with implantable infusion pumps

The Food and Drug Administration today alerted health care providers and patients to safety concerns with the use of implantable infusion pumps in the magnetic resonance imaging environment, citing reports of serious adverse events. Implantable infusion pumps are surgically implanted under the skin, typically in the abdominal region, to deliver medications and fluids in the body. Only pumps labeled as MR conditional may be safely scanned, and only under the specific conditions of safe use. Before scanning patients, MRI technologists should confirm the infusion pump model and ensure the MRI system meets all conditions provided in the MR conditional labeling, FDA said. For additional recommendations for providers and patients, see the FDA safety communication.