Sternum Wires: Are They MRI Safe? Can Patients Get the Wires Removed?

Patients often have questions about the stainless steel and titanium wires that are used to help the sternum heal after heart surgery including valve repair and valve replacement procedures. In this video, Dr. Justin Schaffer, a leading heart surgeon who has performed 3,000 cardiac procedures at Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - Plano, answers several patient questions including “Is it safe to get an MRI if I have sternum wires?”, “How are sternum wires implanted in the chest to help stabilize and heal the sternum?” and “If I suffer from pain after heart surgery, can I get the sternal wires removed? If so, how is that done?” (Video posted on April 15, 2020)