Anesthesia Delivery in the MRI Environment

Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a widely used diagnostic modality with 30 million scans done annually in the United States alone, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration report from 2016. During MRI, the patient must remain in a confined, noisy, sometimes hot environment for periods varying from 30–60 minutes or longer. Familiarity with anesthesia equipment, the environment, and basic monitoring principles are vital to the safe and successful administration of anesthesia in the MRI environment. Equipment design and knowledge of the principles of monitoring in the MRI environment require a thorough understanding of the effects of the magnetic field and the underlying principles behind the challenges, limitations, and even the location of MRI equipment.