Pacemaker and the MRI

Evidently, the Medtronic series Claria MRI CRT-D SureScan is safe for use with an MRI.  Anyone here have experiences in this matter?


9 Comments

MRI

by AgentX86 - 2019-02-16 23:55:58

I have no first-hand experience but I believe all of the more recent pacemakers are MRI compliant.  I was told that if I needed an MRI, to go to a hospital and not to one of the "MRI in a Box" places.  Hospital personnel will have the training to deal with MRIs and there will be a pacemaker tech available if it needs to be reprogrammed.  All bets are off with one of the, albeit cheaper, third party MRI companies.

Schedule it first

by NiceNiecey - 2019-02-17 05:10:48

Use the search function on this site to look for previous posts. I’ve had my device for 5 years and the doctor chose an MRI compatible PM because he said I am young and will, no doubt, need an MRI in the future as I grow older. Five years ago, one could still get a PM that was not MRI compatible.

That said, someone commented on PM Club that they needed an MRI but because they have a PM, it needed to be a very specific appointment and the facility needed to be prepared in advance to accommodate the patient with an MRI compatible device. I don’t know why or if in an emergency one  can get an MRI on the spot. That’s why I’m suggesting the search function.

Niecey

MRI

by Dave H - 2019-02-17 11:59:37

Another ?: Must the person's PM leads be MRI compliant also?

--Dave--

MRI

by novak263 - 2019-02-17 13:17:56

I was getting yearly breast MRI's because of previous breast cancer. After I got my PM I had a hell of a time finding anywhere that did them with a PM. I spent weeks with my insurance conceirge trying to find a facility. And I live near Pittsburgh where there is many state of the art hospitals. My PM doc said when I got it that it was MRI compatible. "No problem." Well big problem!! Unforfunately its a big ordeal, or at least the facilities I contacted made it seem that way. In the end, after weeks of trying to do it I finally got someone to say they would but even though its MRI compatible, the images will not turn out well so its not really worth doing. I just decided to stick with a regular mammogram. Now that I"m older they said my tissue should be clearer to see now or whatever. Now my MRI was specifically for breast, which is obviously going to be close to the PM. So maybe that's why mine was more complicated. Maybe depending on what you need the MRI for it might not be so difficult, but you would need a specific facility that specializes in that and it will be complicated. Good luck with everything.

leads/MRI

by zawodniak2 - 2019-02-17 14:30:23

From what I have read, noncompatible MRI-leads do present additional challenges especially if they have been disconnected from the pacemaker as they heat up during the procedure.  This situation would take careful research questions only with electrophysiologists who have a lot of experience with this combination of pacemaker/lead combination.  I had my original pacemaker replaced with an MRI compatible model, however, the original leads are not compatible.  Fortunately, I have not had to have an MRI so I am aware of what the future may bring.  Any input from members on this issue is certainly welcomed,

                              Rodger

 

 

 

MRI

by Dave H - 2019-02-17 17:25:33

Speaking of the MRI -------- Accuracy rating vs a CT Scan? 

MRI fine

by LondonAndy - 2019-02-17 19:47:10

I have a Medtronic Ensura pacemaker that is about 4.5 years old.  I think it was me who posted about the difficulties I had getting an MRI carried out, despite the pacemaker being certified as MRI conditioned.  Eventually the scan was carried out at one of the UK's leading cardiac hospitals, St Bartholmew's in London (Barts), who had realised some other hospitals were reluctant to do them as radiologists fear causing harm, and they now offer a service specifically to meet this need.  

A pacemaker technician attended and put my device into basic operation mode, I think, and then reprogrammed it back again afterwards.  I experienced no problems at all, though I think you are right that leads need to be MRI proof too, though I am no expert.

MRI vs CAT?

by AgentX86 - 2019-02-17 20:49:48

It depends on what they're looking for.  Obviously, both are used.

MRI with CRT-D

by Mad heart - 2019-02-19 16:45:48

DAVE H

HELLO!

I have had a MRI with the Medtronic Claria MRI CRT-D sure scan. The leads, if they are the originals, are MRI save compliant. The MRI was really clear.  A representative of Medtronic was there to observe and...ready? TURN THE DEVICE OFF while I was in the MRI. I never imagined they would turn the thing off. I yelled out to the MRI techs, what’s going on, my chest felt heavy all of a sudden. The tech told me to stay calm.

20 minutes later, out of the MRI, standing in the hallway, looking for the guy who turned the thing off (he went out for a smoke) I was just about to “turn his lights off”, lucky for him, the nurse got to him first. Mind you, I am barely 5’2” and 130lbs soaking wet, the Medtronic rep was 5’10 about 230lbs. The MRI tech said some naughty words to him and that she was going to report him for leaving the area.

SO, the MRI was a little unnerving but I got through it. Don’t think I want to do it again.

Long story just to say it was “ok”

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