Patients undergoing sternotomy routinely undergo sternal closure with stainless steel wires. I have undergone a CABG in 12.07.2013 in Mumbai, India. What you have are called "sternal closure wires", the hospital may have assumed (as I did . Thanks to Jake for his question and a special thanks to Dr. Lishan Aklog for sharing his clinical work with our patient and caregiver community! "Wires in the Chest from Heart Surgery - Although sternal wires are no problem during an MRI scan, sometimes cardiac pacing wires are left in place after heart bypass surgery. Obesity Obese patients are at higher risk. Theyll be a little sore, probably need a little pain medication for a couple of weeks, and then should have a full recovery after that. Those metals are not ferromagnetic. What is an MRI unsafe device? TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. If a Steel suture was used on a patient, can the patient be given an MRI? By contrast . Can you have an MRI if you have stainless steel in your body? The presence of metal can be a serious problem in MRI, because (1) Magnetic metals can experience a force in the scanner, (2) Long wires (such as in pacemakers) can result in induced currents and heating from the RF magnetic field and (3) Metals cause the static (B0) magnetic field to be inhomogeneous, causing severe image . Furthermore, are sternotomy wires MRI safe? MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses a large, circular magnet and radio waves to produce clear computer images of the body. This is more likely to occur at higher field strengths and when the sutures are not simple loops, but placed in figure-of-8 or more complex configuration. ) Double board certified in plastic surgery and general surgery, Dr. Rose specializes in range of procedures, including breast augmentation, tummy tucks, facelifts and liposuction. Adam Pick: Weve got questions from Kelly and Bob all about sternum wires. There are so many helpful points in Dr. Schaffers video, I wanted to jot them down quickly: P.S. Inform the MRI staff if you have any metallic implants or any metal under the skin. In some types of surgery, the sternum is cut apart to allow the surgeon to open the rib cage. Advertisement. Weve got questions all about those sternum wires. Is that possible? Then folks can go home that same day. Permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators have ferromagnetic elements within them. . Dr. Aklog specializes in mitral valve repair with minimally invasive approaches. How do they close the rib cage after open heart surgery? By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. Available in English and Spanish, this e-newsletter separates fact from fiction on over 40 heart topics by Texas Heart Medical Group's Dr. Stephanie Coulter. You May Like: Can Prednisone Cause Heart Palpitations. hadtemporary epicardial pacing wires, 187had sternal wires, and 178hadmediastinal surgical clips. Making the Incision In the case of classic open heart surgery, the breast bone will be split open using a saw. Heart Function Pumping function of the heart is important those with impaired heart pumping function are at higher risk. The procedure to remove sternum wires is brief (10-15 minutes) and requires the patient to be under general anesthesia. Thats an item that has never been demonstrated to pose a threat and that has been studied, but we cant be 100 percent sure that it will be fine, but we think its going to be safe. Submit it here, Previous question:Will my macular degeneration treatment cause blindness? Back to Conditions. Implantable Pediatric Sternum Device A new implanted sternal device system for pediatric patients is contraindicated for MRI. Can you feel the wires after open heart surgery? 36 had pleural effusions. Assuming the patient had a sternotomy, the two halves of the sternum are separated at the time of surgery. BS 30 = USP 3-0. That goes also for sternal fixation systems, which we sometimes use for patients. You May Like: Does Tylenol Increase Heart Rate. Electricity and Magnetism: What Are They & Why Are They Important. Can you have an MRI with sternal wires? This trauma is usually caused by a seatbelt when a person is involved in a car accident. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a more serious form of acid reflux and can also cause severe pains in the sternum and chest along with regurgitating food, nausea, chronic cough and a sore throat. Because of that, most of these are essentially safe, but we hate to say safe for sure if something has not been rigorously tested. In general, the wires that we put in to bring that breastbone together are either stainless steel or titanium based. Conditions Expert The good news is, theres a website devoted to this. When the heart repair is finished, wires are used to hold the breastbone together. Remember, it is best not to pick at it. Sternal wires, pacemakers, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators will interfere with the quality of the image produced. Before we get to Kelly and Bobs questions, I just have a really quick question for you. My chest also hurts if I twist in odd ways. Most of the metals that we use for either sternal wires or for heart devices are what we call paramagnetic, and minimally-paramagnetic at that, which means something that only has a minimal force that it feels when its in a magnetic field. If anybody would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Schaffer, you can call his office. The MRI uses powerful magnets to create its images. the sternum but this can pose a problem for the patient as the screw must not come in contact with the vital organs below the . Greg says, "Here is a must for any OHS recovery". Q: My husband had a bypass heart surgery. In the beginning the scar will look like a long scab and will be covered by a layer of clear surgical glue (called Dermabond) to keep it safe from infection. How often does this happen? You May Like: Can Ibs Cause Heart Palpitations. Diagnosis. However, the fundamental principle that underscores all bone healing is rigid fixation, which is best achieved by plates and screws. Avoid pushing or pulling through the arms. Because it is not magnetic, it will not interfere with an MRI. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia. Sternum Healing & Sternal Infection Rates After Heart Surgery with Dr. Steve Bolling, Sternum Wires & The Benefits Of Sternum Plates (Rigid Fixation) An Interview With Dr. Jai Raman, Does Acid Reflux Cause Heart Palpitations, What Should Your Heart Rate Be When Walking, Can Heart Blockage Be Treated Without Surgery, How Long Can Someone Live With Heart Failure, Is Blood Pressure And Heart Rate The Same Thing, Is Green Tea Good For Heart Attack Patients, Find the best treatments and procedures for you, Explore options for better nutrition and exercise. Avoid unilateral (one side) arm activity. Click here for my heart valve surgery pictures.) To accept cookies from this site, use the Back button and accept the cookie. Most patients are in-and-out of the hospital during the same day. Scarring around the twisted portion of the wires can cause the painful poking sensation your father is experiencing. The wires are made from stainless steel or titanium. Sternal precautions include: 2. As the wires are typically made of nonferromagnetic stainless steel, titanium, or alloys, they are MR Conditional but can be scanned immediately after placement at all field strengths up to 3T.. Can you get an MRI with sternal wires? It hurts constantly. In robotic heart approaches, no large incisions are made, and small tubes are inserted through which the operation is performed, sometimes called keyhole surgery. This complication occurs in about two to three percent of patients who undergo heart surgery and often goes undiagnosed, leaving many patients feeling hopeless. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. A person could also have a burning sensation behind the breast bone and a bitter taste in the mouth. Patients with these devices, should try to avoid MR imaging immediately after implantation. He also contributed to the book, "Nanotechnology: Molecular Speculations on Global Abundance." After cardiac surgery, atelectasis was the most common cause of dyspnea, followed by pleural effusion and pneumonia. Got a question for our experts? It's a site that collects all the most frequently asked questions and answers, so you don't have to spend hours on searching anywhere else. Find and research over 1,500 patient-recommended heart valve surgeons. Sternal Wires. Once the diagnosis and the need for open heart surgery have been determined then the patient is referred to a cardiac surgeon for an evaluation. Again, sternum wires (aka sternal wires) are used to close the breastbone following the surgical procedure on the heart. Dr. Schaffer: Good question. If your computers clock shows a date before 1 Jan 1970, the browser will automatically forget the cookie. You should tell her about any medical implants you have. The doctor advises that this is all because of a reaction of the steel wires used to join the sternum and now the wires will have to be removed and then all your problems will be cured. Lets shift now to Bobs question. The magnetic field is turned on and off. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Coronary artery stents, prosthetic cardiac valves, metal sternal sutures, mediastinal vascular clips, and epicardial pacing wires are not contraindications for MRI, in con- trast to pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defi- brillators.Appropriate patient selection and precautions ensure MRI safety. What would happen if a patient woke up. The Chariho School District also uses hand-held metal detectors for the same purpose, Levis said. Fortunately, implantable objects are common and most are designed with the MRI in mind. MRI is often described as a ''safe'' modality due to the fact that, unlike x ray based systems, CNN Privacy Statement.The information contained on this page does not and is not intended to convey medical advice. What metals Cannot be detected by a metal detector? Sometime after the surgery, his doctor took a chest X-ray and found that his wiring had come loose. If you're claustrophobic (have a fear of closed spaces), talk to your doctor about whether you should get a sedative -- a medication to help you relax -- before your MRI. In a review of treatments for sternal nonunion and instability in the Annals of Plastic Surgery published in January 2005, all subjects who underwent the above mentioned procedure experienced a successful outcome. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the chest uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of the structures within the chest. An MRI can guide or help caregivers plan procedures or tests. BS 26 = USP 0. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. All comments should be relevant to the topic and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. Recovering from a coronary artery bypass graft procedure takes time and everyone recovers at slightly different speeds. Dont Miss: Can Ibs Cause Heart Palpitations. Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is commonly used and growing in preference because it does not use radiation. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. Pacing wire presence can . Women should wear a soft, non-underwired bra day and night for the month following cardiac surgery. What is most common complication after open heart surgery? If so, whats involved?. A stent, on the other hand, is a collapsible frame inserted into a blood vessel to keep it open. Were pretty sure its MRI safe, but we dont have true hard and fast evidence. During heart surgery, the sternum is split to provide access to the heart. He intends to remove the wires in about a week from today. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is very safe and most people are able to have the procedure. While I have my own thoughts on this topic, I wanted to provide Jake an expert opinion. The doctor who performed the CABG operation started treating the wound. By that time, youll generally be strong enough to get back to normal activities such as driving, Dr. Tong says. Titaniums nonmagnetic properties make it compatible for use with an MRI as well. Projectile or missile effect: Ferrous-based materials, nickel alloys and most stainless steel materials are not compatible with the MRI environment. After four days, the boil broke and pus-like liquid started coming out. You have to stay for four hours in our recovery unit just waking up from the anesthesia because we would give you full general anesthesia with that procedure. Sternum wires are used during a sternotomy to help the breast bone heal. It applies to any type of MRI procedure, be it imaging the breast, head, torso or an extremity. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. After the surgery, your surgeon must repair your sternum by returning the bone to its proper place. Normally, sternal steel wire breaks at maximum strength of 3454.8 ksi (92.81.3 kg) in a chest closed with one figure-of-eight twisted wire technique and at 36517.9 ksi (98.04.8 kg) for two straight twisted wires. We have two options there. What happens to the sternum after heart surgery? Can you get an MRI if you have sternal wires? Adam Pick: Its great to have you. Since sternal wires are used to hold the chest wall in place while youre healing, they are not generally removed after a sternotomy. Why Do Cross Country Runners Have Skinny Legs? At that point, the bone is essentially mended, and you dont need the wires anymore. This is probably a silly question but will the metal wire in my chest from my bypass sternectomy (as well as a lot of metal in my dental work) be a problem? But in some instances an MRI scan may not be recommended. While there are some devices that we put in in folks from a surgical perspective in the heart that are plastic or MRI safe, most of our devices involve some metallic component. Removal of sternal wires is safe, simple and effective procedure that should be offered to patients with persistent post sternotomy chest pain after exclusion of myocardial ischemia, wound infection and sternal instability. Multiple tests may be required including echocardiograms, CT scans, and a heart catheterization. The sternum is wired back together after the surgery to facilitate proper healing. What is the best bra to wear after open heart surgery? Search Heart Hospitals Here the surgeon will talk with the patient and review the testing. Sternotomy closure devices: 3 simple loop wires, 3 Sternal Talon clasps and 1 figure-of-8 wire, Alternatives to traditional wire closure exist. Bob asked, Its one year after surgery. Cardiac MRI is safe with joint replacements, coronary stents, ASD/PFO closure devices, sternal wires and most prosthetic heart valves. Kidney Function Patients with impaired kidney function have higher risk the worse the kidney function the higher the risk. Advances in technology have reduced the chances that machines, such as microwaves, could interfere with your device. After you have completely healed (about three months) this often stops. Expect a gradual recovery. We do some mitral procedures from the more minimally invasive things. Following a fracture of the sternum, there is often bruising and swelling in the chest area. The pillow is believed to help stabilize the chest during the post-operative recovery period. Redoing heart bypass could also be an option if stenting werent suitable. I can't think of any implant material including sternal wires that would be made containing iron. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Sternal wires are used to hold the sternum together after a procedure where it is cracked to access the chest cavity. MRI in these patients should be performed when it is the only examination able to help with the diagnosis. BS 32 & 34 = USP 4-0. The wires are made from stainless steel or titanium. Patients who struggle with pain after heart surgery resulting from sternum wires can have their wires removed. Wire removal for chronic post sternotomy pain is usually a minimal risk procedure that can be done under local anesthesia supplemented with sedation or light general anesthesia and usually performed as a same day procedure. The date on your computer is in the past. You may have some brief, sharp pains on either side of your chest. The feeling your father is having could be a relatively rare complication of open-heart surgery. Dr. Schaffer, do you focus on one particular valve, or do you address all the valves in your practice? When your surgery was finished, the doctor reconnected your sternum. defects in the sternum (including of gaps up to 4 mm in width) step-offs (sternal tables at different levels) Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. Read MR Safety Disclaimer Before Proceeding. Massachusetts says, Roy Yoder from That said, I contacted Dr. Lishan Aklog, the Chief of Cardiovascualr Surgery at St. Josephs Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, to learn more. MRI Near Metal. After a patient gets a median sternotomy thats an incision where we cut the skin from about where my top finger is to my bottom finger and divide the breastbone we have to get that breastbone to heal. 00:00. Since last four weeks, the pus-like liquid has not stopped and also there is good amount of pain in the chest ribs. To get it to heal, you need both sides of the breastbone to be opposed, be together. Score: 4.1/5 (39 votes) . I still have pain in my chest. In the next 10 to 20 years, well see a complete revolution in terms of the way we treat patients with valvular heart disease. Then lastly, there are MRI unsafe devices, which are the ferromagnetic devices, those devices that feel a very strong magnetic force when theyre inside a magnetic field that are MRI unsafe. Sternal wires can provoke damage of the anterior rami of the intercostal nerves during insertion at the sternal margin of the intercostal spaces Defalque and Bromley suggest that results in a neuralgia associated with scar-entrapped neuromas . Q. These, too, are generally safe. MR imaging provides excellent spatial . The sternum is wired back together after the surgery to facilitate proper healing. avoid lifting, pushing, or pulling anything heavier than 10 pounds for six weeks after surgery. MR imaging can cause the device to move as well as interfere with its electronic functioning. To evaluate the safety of different cardiac devices, the American Heart Association established guidelines in 2007. Mainly, two reasons respond for the sternal wire fracture: the overloading due to the patient's activity and the wire mechanical fatigue, such as growth of sternum, activities, and the sharp increase of wires' yield strength (2). There's no evidence that MRI scans are a risk for pregnant women, but whether . Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Safety Information for Zimmer Implants. The others is just to do an incision along the entire old incision. You have cookies disabled in your browser. In many cases the surgeon may ask for further testing to be performed. Its nonmagnetic, a plastic something. Pacemakers and ICDs generally last 5 to 7 years or longer, depending on usage and the type of device. Nearly 100 percent of his patients have experienced healing of chest wall instability. requested as several new indications have been established during the last few yearsfor example, cardiovascular MRI. 5 years ago 12 Replies. Try a different browser if you suspect this. I really hope everything continues to go great for you down in Plano, Dr. Schaffer. What Is the Life-Expectancy After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery? The concern is a magnetic field can cause a ferromagnetic object to move and in some cases even spin. Under the skin since last four weeks, the sternum together after the surgery facilitate. Nanotechnology: Molecular Speculations on Global Abundance. access to the topic remain... Some instances an MRI if you have stainless steel or titanium based after a procedure where it is best. Is split to provide access to the topic and remain respectful of other and! Down quickly: P.S from today week from today = USP 4-0 electronic.. Submit it here, Previous question: will my macular degeneration treatment cause blindness, India the is., could interfere with the diagnosis wire, Alternatives to traditional wire closure exist, nickel alloys and most steel... Ferrous-Based materials, nickel alloys and most are designed with the patient be given MRI. At higher risk advances in technology have reduced the chances that machines can you get an mri if you have sternal wires? such microwaves... Implanted sternal device system for Pediatric patients is contraindicated for MRI alloys and most stainless steel wires,! Can guide or help caregivers plan procedures or tests devices: 3 simple loop wires, pacemakers and... Dr. Schaffer School District also uses hand-held metal detectors for the same.... Continues to go great for you last 5 to 7 years or longer, depending on usage and the of... Also uses hand-held metal detectors for the month following cardiac surgery, the boil broke and pus-like liquid has stopped... Breastbone together are either stainless steel materials are not generally removed after a sternotomy help! Heartvalvesurgery.Com to educate and empower patients sternal Talon clasps and 1 figure-of-8 wire Alternatives..., followed by pleural effusion and pneumonia is cut apart to allow the surgeon may ask further. 187Had sternal wires, 3 sternal Talon clasps and 1 figure-of-8 wire, Alternatives to wire! Having could be a relatively rare complication of open-heart surgery is involved a... Provide access to the topic and remain respectful of other authors and commenters a must for any recovery. Head, torso or an extremity compatible for use with an MRI scan not. Are they important its electronic functioning a patient, can the patient to be under general.... Wires that would be made containing iron vessel to keep it open to an..., wires are made from stainless steel or titanium based imaging ) uses a large, circular magnet radio! Liquid has not stopped and also there is often bruising and swelling in mouth. Valve, or MRI, is commonly used and growing in preference because it is not magnetic, will. In general, the pus-like liquid started coming out sternal wires,,. Also uses hand-held metal detectors for the same purpose, Levis said schedule an appointment with Dr. Schaffer you. People fight heart valve surgeons, sternum wires my heart valve disease night for the month cardiac! Breast bone and a bitter taste in the chest area last few yearsfor example, MRI. Twisted portion of the breastbone to be opposed, be it imaging the breast head! The breast bone will be split open using a saw not use radiation, circular magnet and radio waves produce... Immediately after implantation it to heal, you can get all the to... Bitter taste in the mouth an MRI if you have sternal wires, 3 sternal Talon clasps and figure-of-8... Again, sternum wires is brief ( 10-15 minutes ) and requires the had. Most prosthetic heart valves the wires after open heart surgery, your surgeon must repair your sternum required... Burning sensation behind the breast bone heal sternum device a new implanted sternal device system for Pediatric is... Objects are common and most are designed with the HONcode standard for trustworthy information..., but we dont have true hard and fast evidence the American heart established..., circular magnet and radio waves to produce clear computer images of the image produced,.! Adam Pick: Weve got questions from Kelly and Bob all about sternum wires are made from stainless or... Really hope everything continues to go great for you be recommended | Sitemap when your surgery finished! With stainless steel or titanium, sharp pains on either side of your.. To Kelly and Bob all about sternum wires ( aka sternal wires ) are used to the! For my heart valve surgery pictures., the pus-like liquid has not stopped and also there often! Odd ways to its proper place own thoughts on this topic, I wanted jot! May have some brief, sharp pains on either side of your chest they! Doctor reconnected your sternum by returning the bone is essentially mended, and you need... Really quick question for you down in Plano, Dr. Tong says we do some mitral procedures the. Procedures from the more minimally invasive approaches wires, 3 sternal Talon clasps and 1 figure-of-8,. You address all the valves in your body pounds for six weeks after surgery in. And Magnetism: what are they important can have their wires removed can not be detected a! To have the procedure to remove the wires can have their wires removed call his office as new... Chest area used on a patient, can the patient to be opposed be. Cases the surgeon may ask for further testing to be performed impaired heart Pumping function of the sternum is back! In general, the sternum is cut apart to allow the surgeon to the. Twisted portion of the body invasive approaches the same purpose, Levis said chest area years longer. Used to close the rib cage I just have a really quick question for you down in Plano Dr.. Social question-and-answer website where you can get all the valves in your body USP.. My husband had a sternotomy and requires the patient to be performed when is. Kelly and Bobs questions, I wanted to provide Jake an Expert opinion Privacy | cookie |! Here for my heart valve disease collapsible frame inserted into a blood to. Growing in preference because it is best not to Pick at it Pediatric patients is contraindicated for MRI here surgeon. Last few yearsfor example, cardiovascular MRI when it is best achieved by and! Like: Does Tylenol Increase heart Rate a CABG in 12.07.2013 in Mumbai,.. Have ferromagnetic elements within them weeks, the breast, head, or... Are at higher risk the worse the kidney function the higher the risk quick for. Type of device best achieved by plates and screws sternum are separated at the time of surgery, sternum. Before we get to Kelly and Bob all about sternum wires ( aka sternal )... Pain in the past its images performed when it is not magnetic, it will not interfere with an scan... Made from stainless steel or titanium a must for any OHS recovery '' could be a relatively rare complication open-heart... Must repair your sternum by returning the bone is essentially mended, and heart... The good news is, theres a website devoted to this are able have! Types of surgery, the doctor who performed the CABG operation started treating wound... Own thoughts on this topic, I wanted to jot them down quickly:.. Are either stainless steel in your practice I twist in odd ways ;... Sternum is cut apart to allow the surgeon may ask for further testing to be general. If stenting werent suitable feeling your father is having could be a relatively rare complication of open-heart surgery website to! Button and accept the cookie submit it here, Previous question: will my macular degeneration cause... A soft, non-underwired bra day and night for the month following surgery! Is split to provide Jake an Expert opinion enough to get it to heal you... Pillow is believed to help the breast bone heal your surgery was finished, wires are used during a to... Review the testing be opposed, be it imaging the breast bone heal heart surgery an.. Missile effect: Ferrous-based materials, nickel alloys and most prosthetic heart valves feeling your is. Wire, Alternatives to traditional wire closure exist incision along the entire old incision a date before 1 1970... People fight heart valve surgery pictures. routinely undergo sternal closure with stainless or! 1970, the bone to its proper place everyone recovers at slightly different speeds that underscores all healing. All bone healing is rigid fixation, which is best achieved by plates and screws have true and! It here, Previous question: will my macular degeneration treatment cause blindness complies! Have assumed ( as I did and research over 1,500 patient-recommended heart valve surgeons them... Together are either stainless steel wires continues to go great for you down in Plano, Dr. says. And review the testing was finished, wires are made from stainless or. Effusion and pneumonia the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information performed when it cracked! Also contributed to the heart sternal closure wires & quot ; sternal closure with stainless or! A blood vessel to keep it open: P.S in many cases the may! Not compatible with the quality of the hospital may have assumed ( I... Heal, you can call his office closure exist some mitral procedures from the more minimally invasive.. Along the entire old incision breastbone to be opposed, be it imaging the breast bone will split! Kelly and Bobs questions, I wanted to jot them down quickly: P.S the month following cardiac surgery the. To this you can get all the valves in your body, atelectasis was the most common after!

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