Cardiovascular magnetic resonance: What clinicians should know about safety and contraindications

Abstract Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MR) is a multiparametric, non-ionizing, non-invasive imaging technique, which represents the gold standard to study cardiac anatomy, function and tissue characterization. Faced with wide range of clinical application, in this review we aim provide comprehensive guide for clinicians about MR safety, contraindications image quality. Starting from physical interactions static fields, gradients radiofrequencies human body, will describe most common metal electronic devices are allowed (MR-safe), under limited conditions (MR-conditional) or contraindicated (MR-unsafe). Moreover, some potentially affecting quality patient comfort be mentioned, including arrhythmias, claustrophobia, poor breath-hold capacity. Finally, discuss pharmacodynamics pharmacokinetics current gadolinium-based contrast agents, their potential acute chronic adverse effects, as well safety issue concerning use vasodilating/inotropic agents stress MR.