When discussing the safety of implants during an MRI, which characteristic increases the risk of heating?

The characteristic that increases the risk of heating during an MRI is electrical conductivity. Implants that have good electrical conductivity can absorb electromagnetic energy from the MRI machine, leading to the generation of heat. This heating effect can be particularly concerning in tissues surrounding the implant, potentially causing damage or discomfort to the patient.

Effective understanding of this characteristic is crucial in MRI safety, especially when considering implants such as certain types of metal devices. Implants made of conductive materials may be susceptible to radiofrequency (RF) fields generated during MRI, resulting in localized heating.

In contrast, implants that have low magnetic susceptibility or high tensile strength do not necessarily correlate with an increased risk of heating during an MRI. Low magnetic susceptibility usually indicates a reduced interaction with the magnetic field, which minimizes movement and heating. High tensile strength typically refers to the material's ability to withstand stress without deforming, which does not directly affect heating in an MRI environment. Lastly, nonsusceptibility to bending refers to the physical attributes of an implant rather than its interaction with MRI fields or its thermal properties.