MRI Compatible Devices

In a few months I need to replace the generator/battery on my St. Jude Medical bi-ventricular CRT device, which was implanted almost 5 years ago.

Should I and can I ask that I get new MRI-compatible hardware?

Is it available for a bi-V from St. Jude Medical (Endurity model, I think). Does anyone know?

More info available here:

http://investors.sjm.com/investors/financial-news/news-release-details/2015/St-Jude-Medical-Expands-Portfolio-of-MRI-Compatible-Devices-to-High-Voltage-in-Europe/default.aspx

2 Comments

Don't bother

by Tracey_E - 2016-05-08 01:05:58

As Inga pointed out, the whole thing would have to be changed which is risky and imo way too much to go through if there is no compelling reason to be able to have mri's. Also, having an mri compatible system doesn't mean you can go just anywhere and have an mri. Only some facilities are able to do it and there is a protocol. More and more places are safely doing them on devices that are not officially mri compatible, I would consider that a much safer alternative to extraction.

Leads

by golden_snitch - 2016-05-08 05:05:21

Hi!

If you want a truely (that means FDA labeled) MRI-safe device, you need MRI-safe leads, too. They would have to remove your three old leads, and put new MRI-safe leads in plus put a MRI-safe CRT device in.

Now, this would mean a big and quite risky procedure, and it's usually only done in patients who absolutely need an MRI (because of some type of cancer for instance). And even in these patients some physicians would probably rather do an MRI with the old, not officially MRI-safe device than change the whole system (some studies have shown that MRIs can be done safely even in patients with non-MRI-compatible devices, if certain precautions are taken).

So, if you ask for an MRI-safe model now, be aware that the whole system would need to be changed, which includes three risky lead extractions. I have my doubts that you'll find someone who does this, unless you have a real need for an MRI.

Inga

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