Deployment of Portable, Bedside, Low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Evaluation of Stroke Patients (272)

Objective: To determine the safety and feasibility of portable, bedside, low-field MRI in a clinical setting.

Background: Conventionally, patients must travel to the location of a high-field MRI device for stroke neuroimaging. Advances in low-field MRI have enabled acquisition of clinically useful images using a portable device at the bedside. The feasibility of using point of care (POC) MRI in a clinical stroke setting is unknown.

Design/Methods: POC MRI exams were performed in Yale’s Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from July 2018 to August 2019. Images were acquired at the bedside using a standard 110V, 15A power outlet. The environment included monitors, ventilators and intravenous infusion pumps. Exams were performed by research staff trained to operate the scanner in the absence of an MRI technician. Ferrous metals remained in the room. Scan parameters were controlled using a tablet computer interface, and images were available immediately.

Results: POC MRI was obtained in 85 stroke cases (46% female, ages 18–96 years, 46% ischemic stroke, 34% intracerebral hemorrhage, 20% subarachnoid hemorrhage). Scans were obtained within 7 days of symptom onset. NIHSS scores ranged from 1 to 29 (median of 7). Of the 85 patients analyzed, 68 underwent T2-weighted imaging, 72 underwent FLAIR imaging, and 39 underwent diffusion weighted imaging. The majority 74 (87%) of patients completed the exam. Five patients (6%) were unable to fit in the scanner’s 30 cm opening, while 6 patients (7%) experienced claustrophobia resulting in early termination of the exam. Mean exam time was 28.9 ± 8.4 minutes. The 64 mT static magnetic field, gradient and RF pulses of the POC MRI scanner did not interfere with NICU equipment.

Conclusions: We report the first use of a portable, low-field MRI system to image stroke patients at the bedside. This early work suggests our approach is safe and viable in a complex clinical care environment.

Disclosure: Dr. Cahn has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shah has received research support from Hyperfine Research, Inc.Dr. Dyvorne has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Hyperfine Research, Inc. Dr. Dyvorne holds stock and/or stock options in Hyperfine Research, Inc. Dr. O’Halloran has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Hyperfine Research, Inc. Dr. O’Halloran holds stock and/or stock options in Hyperfine Research, Inc. Dr. Poole has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Hyperfine Research, Inc. Dr. Poole holds stock and/or stock options in Hyperfine Research, Inc. Dr. Yuen has received research support from Hyperfine Research, Inc. Dr. Mazurek has received research support from Hyperfine Research, Inc. Dr. Ward has nothing to disclose. Dr. Payabvash has nothing to disclose. Dr. Beekman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Brown has received research support from AHA. Dr. Falcone has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gobeske has nothing to disclose. Dr. Petersen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jasne has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sharma has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schindler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sansing has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gilmore has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wira has nothing to disclose. Dr. Matouk has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sze has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Hyperfine. Dr. Sze has received research support from Hyperfine. Dr. Rosen has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Hyperfine Research, Inc. Dr. Rosen has received royalty, license fees, or contractual rights payments from BlinkAI. Dr. Rosen holds stock and/or stock options in BlinkAI. Dr. Rosen has received research support from GE Healthcare. Dr. Kimberly has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Biogen. Dr. Kimberly has received research support from Biogen. Dr. Sheth has received royalty, license fees, or contractual rights payments from Alva Health. Dr. Sheth holds stock and/or stock options in Alva Health which sponsored research in which Dr. Sheth was involved as an investigator. Dr. Sheth has received research support from Hyperfine, Novartis, Biogen, Bard, Zoll.