Electromagnetic Exposure of Personnel Involved in Cardiac MRI Examinations in 1.5T, 3T and 7T Scanners

2021 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 938

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2021

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Electromagnetic Exposure of Personnel Involved in Cardiac MRI Examinations in 1.5T, 3T and 7T Scanners Katarzyna Sklinda, Jolanta Karpowicz, Andrzej Stępniewski. Electromagnetic Exposure of Personnel Involved in Cardiac MRI Examinations in 1.5T, 3T and 7T Scanners. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Dec 22;19(1):76. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19010076. Abstract (1) Background: It has been hypothesised that a significant increase in the use of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), for example, when examining COVID-19 convalescents using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has an influence the exposure profiles of medical personnel to static magnetic fields (STmf). (2) Methods: Static exposure to STmf (SEmf) was recorded during activities that modelled performing CMR by radiographers. The motion-induced time variability of that exposure (TVEmf) was calculated from SEmf samples. The results were compared with: (i) labour law requirements; (ii) the distribution of vertigo perception probability near MRI magnets; and (iii) the exposure profile when actually performing a head MRI. (3) Results: The exposure profiles of personnel managing 42 CMR scans (modelled using medium (1.5T), high (3T) and ultrahigh (7T) field scanners) were significantly different than when managing a head MRI. The majority of SEmf and TVEmf samples (up to the 95th percentile) were at low vertigo perception probability (SEmf < 500 mT, TVEmf < 600 mT/s), but a small fraction were at medium/high levels; (4) Conclusion: Even under the "normal working conditions" defined for SEmf (STmf < 2T) by labour legislation (Directive 2013/35/EC), increased CMR usage increases vertigo-related hazards experienced by MRI personnel (a re-evaluation of electromagnetic safety hazards is suggested in the case of these or similar changes in work organisation). Open access paper: mdpi.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionharm

PopulationRadiographers/medical personnel involved in cardiac MRI examinations

Sample size42

Exposurestatic magnetic field

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Static magnetic field exposure profiles recorded during activities modelling cardiac MRI (42 scans across 1.5T, 3T, 7T scanners) differed significantly from those during head MRI. Most SEmf and TVEmf samples (up to the 95th percentile) were in ranges associated with low vertigo perception probability (SEmf < 500 mT; TVEmf < 600 mT/s), but a small fraction reached medium/high levels. The authors conclude that increased cardiac MRI usage may increase vertigo-related hazards for MRI personnel even under “normal working conditions” defined as STmf < 2T in Directive 2013/35/EC.

Outcomes measured

Static exposure to static magnetic fields (SEmf)
Motion-induced time variability of exposure (TVEmf)
Vertigo perception probability distribution near MRI magnets
Comparison to labour law requirements (Directive 2013/35/EC)
Comparison of exposure profiles: cardiac MRI vs head MRI

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "static magnetic field",
    "source": "MRI scanner (cardiac MRI; 1.5T, 3T, 7T)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Radiographers/medical personnel involved in cardiac MRI examinations",
  "sample_size": 42,
  "outcomes": [
    "Static exposure to static magnetic fields (SEmf)",
    "Motion-induced time variability of exposure (TVEmf)",
    "Vertigo perception probability distribution near MRI magnets",
    "Comparison to labour law requirements (Directive 2013/35/EC)",
    "Comparison of exposure profiles: cardiac MRI vs head MRI"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Static magnetic field exposure profiles recorded during activities modelling cardiac MRI (42 scans across 1.5T, 3T, 7T scanners) differed significantly from those during head MRI. Most SEmf and TVEmf samples (up to the 95th percentile) were in ranges associated with low vertigo perception probability (SEmf < 500 mT; TVEmf < 600 mT/s), but a small fraction reached medium/high levels. The authors conclude that increased cardiac MRI usage may increase vertigo-related hazards for MRI personnel even under “normal working conditions” defined as STmf < 2T in Directive 2013/35/EC.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "cardiac MRI",
    "MRI personnel",
    "radiographers",
    "static magnetic field",
    "SEmf",
    "TVEmf",
    "vertigo",
    "1.5T",
    "3T",
    "7T",
    "Directive 2013/35/EC",
    "occupational exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Assesses electromagnetic (static magnetic field) exposure profiles and vertigo-related hazards in MRI staff during work activities."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010076
PubMed: Not supplied

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