My cardologist's take on it.

I ask the cardio during the checkup about having laser eye surgery. Both he and the Medtronics rep said no problem. Then they got to kidding around about warning some dear old soul not to use an arc welder! They were is a good mood today.

I mentioned some of the things I have been around such as ham radio transmitters, car engines, hand power tools, etc. and the Medtronic rep said it wasn't an issue. They have done a lot to filter out this sort of interference. The only other thing they mentioned to avoid is the MRI.

frank

6 Comments

MRI

by Angelie - 2009-04-10 03:04:29

M- agnetic
R- esonance
I- maging

The entire MRI machine is a GIGANTIC magnet. It's very powerful and quite possible that metal objects implanted inside of you can fly out from underneath your skin.
Magnets are also VERY bad for pacer/ICD settings.

In my hospital, the MRI techs absolutely will not perform an MRI on anyone without physically swiping a metal detector wand over your body. LOL!

Angelie

MRI problems

by ElectricFrank - 2009-04-10 05:04:26

There are at least 2 ways an MRI could cause problems.
1. Magnetic (like Angie describes). Actually, though the case of the pacer isn't made of magnetic material so it wouldn't likely pull it out of your body. But, there are small parts inside the pacer like the magnet switch that is used to switch it into programming mode. A very strong magnet could destroy the switch.
2. The MRI produces a very strong radio frequency magnetic field, which can cause even non magnet objects to get very hot. There are concerns that the pacemaker leads could actually burn blood vessel or heart tissue.

The pacemaker manufacturers are working on devices and leads that could handle an MRI, but I don't think any are approved as yet. The MRI manufacturers are are also working being able to control the field of the energy to keep it focused on the area of the body being imaged.

This is not only a pacemaker issue, but also one with joint implants.

frank

??

by sputnick - 2009-04-10 11:04:53

What exactly would happen if you had an MRI?
Would it affect the pm or the leads or both?
Jan

coincidence

by sputnick - 2009-04-11 07:04:14

Was just reading new posts and by coincidence Pookie has posted about China trialing a pm designed 4 safe use in MRI scans. That would be great (although I'm hoping I never needone). I didn't realise that you weren't supposed 2 have one if you had metal implants. I have Rh. Arthritis and have metal implants in my wrists, and also big screws in both my feet. No-one has ever mentioned to me that I shouldn't have an MRI, It's a good job I've never needed one!
Jan

I hope your eye surgery goes well, if you do get it

by rvrs7081 - 2009-06-20 02:06:01

Just a note to say that I do hope that if you get the eye surgery that all goes well for you. Ann

Eye surgery

by ElectricFrank - 2009-06-20 11:06:01

What I actually had was a laser treatment to eliminate bothersome floaters in my left eye. I had it done once in 2004 before my pacemaker and it was very helpful. About a month ago I did have it done and again it was very helpful. It had no effect on my pacer.

frank

You know you're wired when...

Your favorite poem is “Ode to a Cardiac Node”.

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