Multi-institutional experience treating patients with cardiac devices on a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance-linear accelerator and workflow development for thoracic treatments

Abstract

Background and purpose

Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED patients) are often ineligible for online magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT), most likely due to the absence of established guidelines. Existing radiotherapy (RT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidelines offer an opportunity to construct MRgRT protocols, promoting equitable access. Our objective was to present such a workflow, share multi-institutional experiences treating CIED patients with MRgRT on a 1.5 T magnetic resonance-linear accelerator (MR-linac), and investigate geometric accuracy and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring for thoracic treatment.

Materials and methods

A risk analysis identified strategies for safe MRgRT for CIED patients. At three institutions, 21 pelvic and abdominal patients were treated. Patient records were analyzed for adverse events. Geometric accuracy was investigated using B₀-mapping with a phantom simulating moving lung and cardiac lesions near a CIED. Volunteer measurements evaluated the effects of patient positioning and MRI sequences on ECG signal distortion.

Results

MRI and RT workflows were adaptable to MRgRT. No adverse events were recorded. B₀-maps showed a maximum mean difference between static and dynamic phantom configurations of 0.1 mm, increasing to 0.4 mm distortion in the presence of a CIED. ECG readings exhibited severe distortions during scanning, hampering heart rhythm detection for most MRI sequences.

Conclusions

CIED patients can safely undergo treatment on a 1.5 T MR-linac following RT and MRI guidelines. For targets near CIEDs, a B₀-mapping procedure was considered accurate enough to determine MRgRT eligibility. Pulse oximetry is recommended for cardiac monitoring during MRI scanning due to ECG signal distortion.