MRI pacemaker

Has anyone had an MRI pacemaker implanted, or have any information on them. I'm having my unit repositioned due to pain and discomfort. My Dr. Is advising me to replace my unit with a Medtronic MRI model. Please if anyone has any info please advise me.
Thank you,

8 Comments

Had MRI - everything OK

by Theknotguy - 2013-12-24 01:12:56

Got my Medtronics PM in October 2013. Problems due to run away a-fib and high blood pressure put me back in hospital. Because of high blood pressure they did an MRI scan of head looking for burst blood vessels and to make sure my head wasn't totally empty. Anyway...

No problems with MRI. They just ran me part way into the machine and were careful not to go below the chin while scanning. No problems with the PM, no flutters, no gasps for air, no palpitations, nada. I had more problems with my busted rib because they made me lay flat and it still hurt like all-get-out.

I asked about MRI and entire staff was - don't worry - we'll let you know if there is a problem. Guess having a Medtronics office/clinic next to the hospital helps. Still getting off the Propofol and having Morphine reduced anxiety to zero so I didn't argue with the staff. Since there was six of them and one of me I wasn't going to win anyway.

Don't know what I have for Medtronics and leads as they were implanted when I was unconscious. I'll check next time they check the PM. But I'm guessing if you got it recently you should have minimal anxiety.

I actually had more problems with the PM while they were scanning it just after installation. The forgot to tell me and it went into test mode. I got short of breath. Just wish they would have told me first.

Theknotguy

Have MRI safe Medtronic

by JerryG - 2013-12-24 02:12:01

I have an MRI safe Medtronic A3DR01 with MRI safe leads. I am not sure if the particular model I have is available in the USA or not; the FDA evidently take some time to register new models.

My cardio is aware that I have had a number of MRI's in the past (lower spine) and the potential for future MRI's is a real possibility so he didn't even ask me whether to put in an MRI safe unit or not. I understand that I would still have to have a Medtronic tech to deal with the PM before and after the MRI but I am not sure what the tech will actually do.

The PM I have works perfectly and has made me feel 30+ years younger. I haven't yet had to test its MRI safety and hope I don't ever, but the facility is there if required.

I have no idea whether there are price differences between the MRI safe and non-MRI safe units as my medical aid paid for my PM and implant if full.

I think it is a good idea to go MRI safe PM, if possible.

JerryG

Reason for the question?

by donr - 2013-12-24 09:12:01

Cyclist: Wish I could hear you ask your question. Tone of voice always adds nuances to a question not communicated by written word.

Is there as reason why you ask this question that you have not stated? Your wording indicates that there is.

All other issues being equal in the capability of the MRI tolerant PM, it's a non issue - just gives you greater capability & flexibility in the future.

Don

MRI pacemaker

by cyclistFD - 2013-12-24 09:12:48

Thank you guys for you quick response, my only concern is that the MRI pm is fairly new technology and could there be any new issues with it. The present pm still has 10 years of battery life left, they are just repositioning it due to excessive pain were it is located itself. The pm moved on positioned itself under my arm right at the incision area, causing constant pain in the shoulder and neck, also causing headache regularly. I've been dealing with it for over 3 years. Finally found a Drs. that listened and are willing to help.

MRI pacemaker

by cyclistFD - 2013-12-24 10:12:08

That's what I was reading online, but when I discussed it with my Dr. he and the Medtronic tech told me that the new studies show that any leads are ok. I was concerned about that aswell. My surgery is in a few days and I'm not sure what to do.

mri safe

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-24 10:12:22

The mri safe pm won't do you much good if you don't have the mri safe leads to go with it. There are more and more places able to do an mri with any pm, not just one that is intended for mri's, so unless you happen to have those leads, I would not bother making the switch.

How to make the decision

by donr - 2013-12-24 11:12:21

Thanks fof the answer to my question.

Look at the benefits vs the disadvantages:

1) Cost - are they going to charge you for a new PM> w/ 10 yrs of Btry life remaining, is it worth it to you?

2) Gain in capability - OK, so you don't have the new leads. While they are in there, if they put in a new PM that is MRI safe, at least you have the advantage of greater capability in the new PM. Here you have to balance the cost factor in. If there is zero cost to you for the new MRI safe PM, it's a no brainer. If it's going to cost you $20,000, you might have second thoughts.

3) We've had this discussion on the site before - more & more places are figuring out how to safely do an MRI on an old style PM. If you are close to one of these locations, there is not much advantage to paying full price for a new PM. Most insurance companies will not pay for a new PM w/ 10 yrs life on the old one.

4) Get it done before 1 Jan. There are too many unknowns in what happens then under Obamacare.

Good luck, whichever way you go.

Don

the cynical response

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-26 09:12:07

Do the dr and tech make more money if you get a new pm??

I am 100% sure that the mri safe leads are an intergral part of having an mri safe pm. The danger in having an mri with an old pm wasn't really the damage to the box, it's that the leads can heat and fry the heart. This is what a radiologist friend told me. And my rep and dr both told me no when I asked about mri-safe pm when I had my last replacement. My leads are 20 years old, they said unless we extracted my old leads the new mri-safe box had no benefit.

Inga (golden snitch) has posted links to several articles on research being done on mri's with regular pm's. More and more facilities are able to do it and there have been no issues.

I'm no expert, but it sounds to me like they're looking for an excuse to charge your insurance for a new pm.

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

Member Quotes

A pacemaker completely solved my problem. In fact, it was implanted just 7 weeks ago and I ran a race today, placed first in my age group.