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Medtronic MRI Pacemaker News

Posted by ChristMMPace on 2011-01-17 04:36

Copy and pace this link for the latest news on medtronic pacemaker being test for use with MRI machines. How awesome would that be, here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdeln0mq26A

7 comments

cool, but

Comment posted by TraceyE on 2011-01-17 11:18.

it is only mri safe if you have the pm and the leads, so those of us with older leads still can't have an mri. It's nice to know they're getting closer!

Good news

Comment posted by admin on 2011-01-17 11:36.

Like Tracey said, this is real good news for new recipients. I've been watching this development for a number of years and believe it will be one of the biggest advancements in cardiac pacing technology of this decade.

Blake

Thanks for sharing.

Waiting

Comment posted by jjk on 2011-01-18 12:50.

Has anyone discussed the possibility of getting an MRI friendly pacemaker with their doctor? My cardiologist is looking into the possibility of getting one for me since my current PM has to be changed. Should know in a week.

jjk

Comment posted by TraceyE on 2011-01-18 19:50.

Unfortunately if you do not have mri-friendly leads, it doesn't do you any good to have an mri-friendly pm. And, no, you would not want to replace perfectly good leads for the new ones unless you had a very compelling reason to need the ability to have mri's. The pm itself if very easy to replace, the leads would require a very specialized surgery with a laser sheath done by a specialist. If you need it it's not that big a deal, but it's not something I would ever consider if my leads worked.

Medtronic MRI Pacemaker News

Comment posted by marg on 2011-01-21 05:38.

Well, I never knew that before. Had my PM implanted in 2004, a single lead (since the AV Node had to be ablated). My battery is running low and will have to be replaced - think I will ask if it would be possible to have the new "MRI Friendly" lead installed.

Thanks for the information!
Cadence

marg

Comment posted by TraceyE on 2011-01-21 08:45.

You'd have to remove the current lead, it's more than just adding the new mri-friendly lead. If we were to get an mri with an old type lead in there, whether we're using it or not, the lead can react to the mri and fry our heart.

There is some research being done to make an mri that can be used with a pacemaker, and they are also working on some new imaging technology that doesn't use magnets, so there are other solutions on the horizon other than the new mri friendly pm's.