Ouestion

I just received my Medtronic ID card through the mail, It is a VEDR01 Model. I called the 800 No on the card, to give them my phone No: and some other info. I asked them if this Model was the latest PM model that Medtronic has devised. To my surprise she said no, there is a newer model that actually is MRI compatible " same size ".
I'm wondering why my EP did not offered that to me, since I had mine only 9 days ago?
Does anybody in the group has an MRI compatible PM?, pros/cons? and if one really MUST have an MRI, is there a way to have it without damaging the PM? I appreciate your feed back.
Abbass

7 Comments

Medtronic MRI

by F355Henderson - 2012-12-14 10:12:53

I had an RVDR01 (MRI Ok) implanted on 12/4. I had a couple of fainting incidents one of which while on a monitor so the diagnosis was pretty easy. The Doctor told me he was using this model so I never questioned it. He told me "since i was young and had decades to live i might need an MRI sometime." I'm 61 so not sure about "decades to live". I guess maybe two is plural.

MRI

by abbassbagheri - 2012-12-15 02:12:17

Thanks Robert.

choices

by Tracey_E - 2012-12-15 09:12:26

Some drs discuss it with us, some do not, but they usually have a reason for choosing the one they do. I'd ask at your next appointment why he didn't go with the mri compatible. I don't think they are the same size, I think the mri ones are bigger. And I wouldn't say it's a newer model, simply a different model because they are always coming out with new ones. It may be that the one you have has features you need more.

MRI's with a non-MRI compatible pm are a hot topic. Years ago it was impossible, no discussion. There are some hospitals that now say they can do it safely. IMO, I haven't seen enough research that I would be comfortable doing it unless there was a really pressing reason for the MRI.

MRI

by abbassbagheri - 2012-12-15 11:12:01

Thank you guys for your kind response, I believe I red a post here several days ago that, a member had to have an MRI and it had to be done in the Hospital OR under general anesthesia. Is that a possibility?
I have an appointment with my EP & device RN On Dec-20 and I'll pick up their brains to see if Ican get more inf. in this topic.
Abbass

MRI yes or no?

by RobertS - 2012-12-15 12:12:08

Hi Abbassbagheri,

I have just this week had a Medtronic EN1DR01 fitted. This has Sure Scan and a little MR in a triangle sign so it can be used in an MRI. BUT it needs to be reprogrammed first, that is what the Sure Scan bit is about I am told, so you need to tell the MRI people and your PM people if you are to have an MRI. I am also told there is much doubt among radiologists about doing MRIs on people with pacemakers regardless.

It seems a fairly new technology and the PM is slightly larger I am told but I have nothing to compare mine with.

Click on 'Search' at top right of this site an enter MRI and you'll see every post on PMs and MRIs.

Hope this helps

Robert

MRI compatibility

by Acubarry - 2012-12-17 08:12:51

Hi Abbass
Not sure I can help at all but for what it's worth? I had an MRI compatible Medtronic pacemaker fitted in March. In July I needed an MRI of my head - they wouldn't do it! My ENT consultant said it was OK but the scanning technicians had a blanket 'NO' policy for anyone with pacemakers & implanted devices. Apparently this wasn't just this particular clinic but an Australia wide practice. Speaking to the technicians at the time they did appear to be more worried about the leads moving and doing damage than any actual problem with the pacemaker itself. It's not just the pacemaker, the leads also have to be MRI compatible and well established. So over here it's back to the old CAT scans; they are not as scary as MRI scans anyway. By the way, the scan was clear.
Hope this helps
All the best
Baz

MRI

by abbassbagheri - 2012-12-17 08:12:56

Thank you Baz,
I hope I do not have to have one in near future however, CT scan isn't bad at all. What you said about leads makes sense' and I never thought about it!!.
Have a nice day.
Abbass

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