What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Case Report. Population: MRI-induced artefact in implantable cardiac monitor (n=1). Intervention: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Primary outcome: Observation of high-amplitude polymorphic signals resembling torsade de pointes.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate a case of MRI-induced artefact that mimicked torsade de pointes in a patient with an implantable cardiac monitor.

May 15, 2026Open Access

Magnetic resonance imaging-induced artefact mimicking torsade de pointes in a patient with an implantable cardiac monitor: a case report

Key Result

Brain MRI using a 1.5-T scanner induced a reproducible artefact mimicking torsade de pointes on an implantable cardiac monitor, confirmed as an artefact by a simultaneous normal 12-lead ECG.

Key Points

To investigate a case of MRI-induced artefact that mimicked torsade de pointes in a patient with an implantable cardiac monitor.
Patient underwent MRI with an implantable cardiac monitor, capturing misleading signals.
Subsequent MRI scans were conducted using different machines to isolate the artefact.
Phantom testing was performed to replicate the observed phenomenon.
High-amplitude artefact resembling torsade de pointes was captured on initial MRI but was absent on repeat scans.
Follow-up MRI 6 months later reproduced the artefact on the same scanner.
No similar artefacts were found in other patients using the same MRI system.

Study Design

Type

Case Report (n=1)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Population

A 76-year-old woman with a history of mitral valve replacement and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, implanted with an implantable cardiac monitor (Abbott Confirm Rx™) for recurrent dizziness.

Intervention

Brain MRI (1.5-T GE SIGNA Creator and 3.0-T Siemens MAGNETOM Lumina)

Outcome

Device recordings during MRI

MRI can induce reproducible artefacts mimicking torsade de pointes in implantable cardiac monitors, suggesting a specific device-scanner-patient interaction.

Abstract

Abstract Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly performed in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices. Although generally considered safe under specific protocols, electromagnetic interference may still lead to clinically misleading recordings. Case summary A 76-year-old woman with a history of mitral valve replacement and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent implantation of an implantable cardiac monitor (Abbott Confirm Rx™) for evaluation of recurrent dizziness. During brain MRI at another hospital (1.5-T GE SIGNA Creator), the device captured high-amplitude polymorphic signals resembling torsade de pointes, whereas a simultaneous 12-lead electrocardiogram confirmed sinus rhythm with a normal QT interval. A repeat MRI at our institution using a 3.0-T Siemens MAGNETOM Lumina scanner with the same time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography sequence did not reproduce the artefact. Phantom testing on the outside hospital’s scanner also failed to demonstrate the phenomenon. However, the artefact was reproducibly observed during a follow-up MRI performed 6 months later using the same scanner. No similar findings were observed in other patients with implantable cardiac monitors scanned using the same system. Discussion MRI-related artefacts in implantable loop recorders have been previously reported. The present case demonstrates a reproducible torsade de pointes-like morphology specifically associated with the prescan phase on a particular MRI system, suggesting a device–scanner–patient interaction rather than true arrhythmia.