MRI safe PM's

I'm confused about this issue...I've done some searching on-line - but you all know better aince you're living with this type of device.

I'm interested in learning about the MRI safe PM's - My Dr told me that Medtronic and Biotronic are the only 2 companies that make offficially safe MRI PM's...and MRI safe means - from the head up and then waist down - you still cannot get a thoracic MRI.

I read a post on here about the leads being different in the MRI safe devices - it was from several years ago - so I don't know if there are still concerns about them being less flexible, a little thicker??

I am 42 and ideally -it seems like I should go with an MRI safe PM.
Lastly do these MRI safe devices - also have the abilility to download the information electronically & remotely to the PM clinic?

Thank you for your help...

4 Comments

Medtronic MRI

by Bean19 - 2015-01-11 08:01:38

I had a dual lead Medtronic MRI safe pm put in on 11/21/14 and on 12/15/14i had a cardiac MRI done with zero problems!

I have not done remote transmissions because I do not have a land line and my docs and I agreed that I did not need to purchase the cell remote.

Good luck!

MRI compatible pacemaker

by bluebowtye - 2015-01-11 09:01:09

Hi,

I have the Medtonic Advisa MRI compatible pacemaker and have done the remote transmission several times just fine.

~Sheila

mri safe

by Tracey_E - 2015-01-11 09:01:16

Having an mri-safe pacer doesn't mean you can go have an mri just anywhere. There are only certain places that can do it and it will be done following protocols.

More and more facilities are able to do mri's on patients with non-mri pacers/leads that are less than 10 years old.
Hopefully bostonstrong will see this, she had an mri recently after much research. She got the answers she needed and is fine.

The very first thing I would ask is the upper limit. At least one of the mri-safe pacers only goes up to 150. If you are in block and pace ventricle, this means your heart rate will never get above 150 when you are exercising. This is ok for someone sedentary, but will cause new limitations if you are young and active. Don't get that one.

I've never had one that downloads remotely. Well, the one I have now might, but I've never been given the machine to try it. I don't really want to. I only go for checks every 3 months and I'm in and out. I'd rather see them in person so I can ask questions, see the printout for myself.

MRI in Austin

by Parrothead57 - 2015-01-12 01:01:24

I was recently told by a tech at Austin Radiological Association that as far as they were concerned there was no such thing as an MRI safe pacemaker. She told me the nearest location that would perform the MRI was in Houston Tx, 200 miles away.

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