effects of magnetic resonance imaging examinations on vital signs

ABSTRACT

Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] is used to produce detailed sectional images, and considered a safe tool compared to the x-ray based medical diagnostic techniques, as general radiography, and computed tomography [CT],because MRl does not employ ionizing radiation but uses radiofrequency [RF] fields. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of MRI examinations on the main vital signs [blood pressure, body temperature, cardiac pulse rate and respiratory rate]. A sample of fifty patients with ages between [18-68] years old underwent MRI studies for different anatomical regions. The vital signs have been measured before and after the MRI examination. The results showed that there was significant increase in body temperature and no significant relationship was detected in pulse rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate