Oops

I have aMeditronic PM which isMRI proof. The MRI proof unit was selected as I have metastasised prostrate cancer. A few weeks ago I had to have an MRI. No problem said I to the Mri ladies. I am sporting the latest MRI proof PM.
Now I have just watched a video on the Meditronic site that states and shows quite clearly that the PM mri function has to be activated proir to the scan and turned off after. Is this.correct as no one from my cardiologist down ever told.me this.
Could this have damaged the PM?. Your thoughts please PM'ers.

5 Comments

Had mine today

by jngavin - 2014-07-29 08:07:57

Had an MRI today. It took the hospital 3 weeks to get proper certification to even perform the MRI. The pacemaker nurse was there to change the settings on my pacemaker prior to having the scan done. After, she ran some tests and reset the pacemaker. They were all a bit nervous including myself. I was their first at Brownwood hospital.

call your cardio

by Tracey_E - 2014-07-29 09:07:22

Having an mri-compatible pm doesn't mean you can just go have an mri without precautions. The folks at the imaging place should have known that! If you feel fine, you probably are fine but call your cardio and ask to be checked just in case.

Correct

by golden_snitch - 2014-07-29 12:07:31

Yes, it has to be activated. At the moment, Sorin is the only manufacturer who has a MRI conditional mode that does not need activation, but automatically activates as soon as it detects the MRI field.

Your case shows that even if the MRI protection has not been activated, the pacer is MRI-safe. There have been some studies with "old" pacemakers and ICDs that are officially not MRI conditional, and they came through an MRI just fine. My EP says that every pacer/ICD/CRT build after 2002 is MRI safe, and that those new MRI-safe devices are just money making. So, I guess your pacemaker will not have suffered any damage.

Inga

MRI Save PM

by cindyredd - 2014-07-31 09:07:32

Hi there,

rest easy, I have a MI safe PM, I had to have a Brain scan, well it was a bit of a challange to get everyone to understand I had a MRI SAFE PM, ugh.... tell the tech that is setting up your appt to call Medtronics if that is thePM you have. Tell your EP or Cardio DR to fax the latest settings over.. It was very simple, they clicked on the MRI setting , has the MRI and they tested it and turned it back , I did feel a bit loopy all day from the playing with it however the next day all was well...

not to worry, just make sure that the company rep is there

mri

by skaggsoak - 2014-08-12 03:08:04

I had a 1 year old Medtronic pacemaker. About 2 months ago had to have mri. Took a month for appointment due to the fact had to be ran at only major hospital in my area. Reason being mri machine had to be at special settings and pacemaker had to be in mri mode. 4 hours later we were reset but due to complications had to be admitted to hospital for 2 days to get back in sink. Since but not due to that circumstance I had to have a crt implant done. I now can never have another mri and I have a bone disease. Probably wouldn't have had one anyway. Yes I would be worried and get checked. I'm 100% paced though.
Bionic man

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