Question about CT Scan

I am getting a pacemaker aug 16. My legs are very heavy , I get completely fatigued easily,I have AFib flutter and syncope. I also had back surgery. Now I read I can't have an MRI but would a CT Scan be ok?

9 Comments

ct

by Tracey_E - 2013-07-22 01:07:58

CT's are fine. If you get an mri-safe pm, you can still have mri's also. If you have chronic back problems, talk to your surgeon/ep about the mri-safe pm's.

Old leads are not mri-safe, but if you get a new safe pm, then your leads will be compatible and safe to have an mri.

Excited

by goldenoldy - 2013-07-22 03:07:32

Whoohoo! had an after thought and just checked my post op' info and my leads are the 5076 ones, apparently now compatible with mri's should I need one. Thanks for the info Cardio Tech person.

leads

by goldenoldy - 2013-07-22 03:07:43

Unfortunately not always so, in Jan I had my Medtronic pm fitted, the surgeon said it was the 'Rolls Royce' of pm's, even mri compatible. Great I said, welllllll, he said I'm afraid the leads we've used are NOT compatible! Take nothing for granted and as said above, ask questions, its your body.

All sorts of scans

by donr - 2013-07-22 12:07:09

You need to evaluate the scan being proposed & look at its positives & negatives.

CT scan: You can get a bucketload of radiation from a CT scan. If you have had rad therapy for cancer, you want to be wary of a CT scan & challenge the Dr. who wants it to ensure that it is truly necessary & determine if there are any alternatives. CT scans do not show soft tissue as well as others & especially for kidney work, they are necessary for some parts of the diagnostic process - for instance. Will not harm any of the PM's.

MRI Scan: great detail of soft tissue, like nerves, muscle, etc. Probably the most precise of all scans for some diagnoses. Balance all that against the incompatibility w/ some PM's.

Ultrasound Scan ("Echo") - least definitive in detail of all the scans - it's a function of the frequency of the imaging wave being used - X-Ray uses extremely high EM frequencies, gives good detail. Sound uses lower frequencies, hence less detail, but Ultrasound is great for tests trying to show velocity & movement - like the cardiac ultrasound used to show valve action & velocity of the blood w/i the heart. X-ray cannot even begin to show that. Shows things in real time, no less!

All PM's are compatible w/ echo processes.

One question to ask a Dr is "What would you have done prior to the invention of MRI's when X-Ray was all you had?" There are work-arounds when all else fails!

Don

My model PM

by KAG - 2013-07-22 12:07:36

....is MRI compatable and so are both leads. As I understand it both the PM and the lead(s) must be MRI compatable. Also there is an MRI Mode that a tech must turn On prior to the MRI and then turn it back Off afterward.

This is for my Medtronics model. You need to find out which model PM you're getting and make sure to ask about MRI compatablility.

Q?

by goldenoldy - 2013-07-22 12:07:42

Hi, I'm sure you will feel a whole lot better once you've had your pm. Some devices are actually ok with MRI scans, my understanding is that CT scans are no problem. My Medtronic unit is ok with MRI's but the leads aren't! You are in the right place on here to get loads of encouragement.

MRI Compatible

by CardiacTechnician - 2013-07-22 12:07:51

Make it clear to your Doctor that you may have a future that involves multiple MRI/CT Scans.

There are now devices and leads that are safe for MRI.
Lets use Medtronic as an example. Medtronic examples of MRI safe devices include the Ensura and Advisa.

Medtronic have also now had their 5076 Leads signed off as MRI safe. Here is a link about their MRI safe leads the CapSureFix MRI™ SureScan®.

http://www.medtronic.com/surescan/capsurefix.html

It is true to be 'MRI safe' The device and the leads need to fit this criteria. So make sure you talk to your doctor about this and the technician can reach for the MRI safe equipment if and where possible.

Regards

Cardiac Technician

Press Release

by CardiacTechnician - 2013-07-23 09:07:51

Here is the press release...

http://newsroom.medtronic.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=251324&p=irol-newsArticle&id=1822859

Classy5822lady

by Classy5822Lady - 2013-10-10 12:10:57

Test proved that with Metronic Revo one can use a TENS unit at waist and below.

You know you're wired when...

Trade secrets can be smuggled inside your device.

Member Quotes

Do feel free to contact the manufacturer of your device. I have found them to be quite helpful when I have had questions and concerns.