S-ICD and MRI

• by Olena
• 2015-01-23 09:01:56
• General Posting
• 2907 views
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http://www.cardiomyopathy.org/S-ICD-study.html

Patients with a new internal defibrillator (ICD) can safely undergo an MRI, says a small study of the first patients with the devices

The location and design of the new S-ICD, which does not have leads into the heart, make it safe for magnetic resonance imaging, says lead researcher Dr Jiri Keller from the Na Homolce Hospital in Prague.


The new device, which is fitted under the skin rather than in the heart, is particularly suitable for young people who are very active but thought to be at risk of having a cardiac arrest. But the device cannot pace the heart so is not suitable for people who need pacing for a slow heart beat or to help the heart pace in a more synchronised way.


Hundreds of patients around the world have been implanted with the new S-ICD, and 52 of them were treated at Dr. Keller's hospital.


The subcutaneous system does not require electrodes in or on the heart.


"The principle of this defibrillator is that it's positioned under the skin and nothing is touching the heart; from this perspective, it's safer," Dr Keller explained.


The study, presented at the March European Congress of Radiology, involved 12 men and three women.

All scans were performed at least six weeks after S-ICD implantation, and the device was turned off during imaging.


The study showed no evidence of movement or rotation of the S-ICD, Dr. Keller pointed out. In addition, there were no malfunctions evident on postscan checks of the S-ICD up to 12 months later.

There is an increasing number of patients with implantable cardiac devices who need an MRI, so this information is important for clinicians and patients, he emphasised.