Hazards, Safety, and Anesthetic Considerations for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The increase in the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnostic use in companion animals has increased the demand for anesthesia support in a strong magnetic environment. In many instances, this may necessitate anesthesia being provided by individuals that are unfamiliar with MRI and the hazards associated with it. The objective of this article is to describe the conditions and hazards associated with a strong magnetic field, review considerations for safe and effective anesthetic management of patients during an MRI, and promote close collaboration and communication between personnel in an effort to insure staff awareness and safety. This report describes conditions that exist for the superconducting high field strength magnets, 1.0, 1.5, and 3.0 Tesla, that are commonly used for clinical imaging of companion animals. Many of these same safety and anesthesia considerations can be applied to any MRI facility.