MRI and BS Monostrut valve

I had a Bjork Shiley Monostrut valve implanted in 1985, before MRI testing was so widely available as it is today.  Recently, when my rheumatologist recommended I have an MRI to asssit with diagnosis and pain management, I began to try to reserch the advisability of this procedure given the presence of my heart valve implant.

I located the alloy information posted on the Bowling Pfizer website ( ), and shared that with my local open MRI facility, and with the manufacturer of their machine (Hitachi).  Neither the manufacturer, nor the facility could provide an answer, so I went out to see what I could find myself. This lead me to your posting of June 17, 1998 ; and to a study in the JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING 12:363–369 (2000) at http://www.imrser.org/PDF/Shellock.HeartValves.JMRI.pdf

Based on your prior response, and upon what I can understand of the Journal article, and what I've read about the less forceful magnets used in open MRI machines, I believe I may be fairly assured that the open MRI will not pose undue risk for me. Have you any contradictory information to add at this time?

Thank you.
SfeDee


This discussion is related to Re: MRI and Mechanical Valve.