An apparatus and method is provided for improving the quality of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals obtained from a patient undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) wherein the ECG signal has relatively high levels of noise or interference voltages induced on it by changing magnetic fields. The apparatus includes the arrangement of a differential amplifier, a prefilter, a signal limiter (SL) circuit and an intermediate amplifier with an integral low pas filter. The prefilter limits the rise time or high frequency component of the noise or interfering voltages induced on the ECG that are presented to the signal limiter.