RF-induced heating in a patient or implant depends on which of the following factors?

RF-induced heating in a patient or implant is influenced significantly by the overall MR field strength. The radiofrequency (RF) energy from the MRI system interacts with the tissues and implants, and as the magnetic field strength increases, the amount of RF energy that can be absorbed by the tissues also increases. This can lead to higher levels of specific absorption rate (SAR), which is a measure of the rate at which RF energy is absorbed by the body. Therefore, the overall MR field strength plays a crucial role in determining the extent of RF-induced heating.

While other factors, such as the position of the implant or patient and the type of RF coil used, also contribute to RF heating, the primary driver in determining the potential for heating lies with the strength of the magnetic field itself. These other factors can influence local heating effects or specific absorption rates, but they don't have the overarching impact that the magnetic field strength does in terms of overall RF heating risk. Department quench policies, although important for safety in MRI environments, do not directly affect RF-induced heating in the same way that the MR field strength does.