MRI Safe PM and Leads

I am scheduled to get my first PM next month. I've read that most new PMs now-a-days are safe to use in MRIs, but that the leads are the problem.

I asked my EP if I should get the MRI safe leads, and she said that because I'm so young (30) she would rather not use new, less tested, leads. She wants to use what she knows is good and will last me a long time.

I understand her logic, as I don't really like being a guinea pig; but wanted to hear your opinions. I always thought MRIs were the cream of the crop when it came to medical tests and I'm nervous to have to cross it off my list.

13 Comments

MRI leads

by ElectricFrank - 2012-03-20 01:03:45

I haven't heard much about the MRI leads as far as longevity. The real issue for you is whether you have an injury or condition that needs MRI imaging for the best diagnosis. If I was your age and was an avid skier, rock climber, or such I would probably go for the MRI.

Best wishes on the pacemaker implant. Be sure and come back here and let us know how things went.

You may want to talk over the placement of the pacer with your doc. The two most common placements are just under the skin below the clavicle bone on the left side, or under the pectoral muscle. The first is the easiest with the fastest recovery, but it shows a lot more. The second is hidden and maybe less exposed to impact.

The other pre-surgical item that may come up is what sort of anesthesia you want. It can range from a general where you are completely out, or one of the sedative type drugs where you are groggy, to remaining awake with only pain shots in the area. The surgery isn't bad at all so I would only consider a general if you freak out easily. I had the pain shot only approach with the anesthesiologist ready with a sedative if I needed it, which I never did and it was nice to return to my room wide awake afterwards.

Your doc may not even ask for your preferences, but it is nice to know the choices are there. Keep in mind that you have the right to chose what you want.The placement will be with you for a long time so is likely the most important.

frank

I have one

by Janey L - 2012-03-20 02:03:14

Hi. I had a Medtronic SureScan MRI Compatible PM implanted last September. No one at the hospital said anything about the leads or anything, I'm not aware of any problems with them. I'm 49 so am very pleased my EP gave me this PM as chances are I might need a MRI sometime later on in life. I'm surprised your EP would prefer not to give you one, given your age....I thought (but I could be wrong) that younger people were being given them more nowadays. I'm fairly new to all this though so I'm not entirely sure on that. I'm in the UK & my EP didn't ask me about brands/models etc....he gave me the best one for my situation....ie I didn't get a choice as such. But I trust him 100% so was more than happy with his decision.

I hope you are able to find out more before your EP totally says no, you want the best PM for you. I really wish you the best with it....please let us know what happens.

best wishes & good luck
Janey

I have The MRI safe one

by Marissa - 2012-03-20 05:03:30

I'm 32 and requested the MRI safe box and leads. I figured seeing as my mother died of cancer at 50, and her mother died of cancer at 48, that I wasnt going to deny myself the chance of using the most effective "cancer finding" machine around.

It was never mentioned to me that the leads might have substandard longievity. They're medtronic, you can't get much better than that for technology.

I also have one

by simonj - 2012-03-20 05:03:46

Had my first pm fitted a week ago today and was also given the Medtronic MRI compatible one . My consultant described it as the " Rolls Royce" of pacemakers and as still considered young at 43 , was advised that this was the best option for me .

MRI-safe pacer

by golden_snitch - 2012-03-20 05:03:55

Hi,

I'd ask for an MRI-safe pacemaker. As soon as "normal" leads are in, you'll not be able to switch from a normal pacer to a MRI-safe pacer that easily. But since this is your first pacer implant, you have the choice, and MRIs are definitely something you might need to have one day. So, I'd say, because of your young age, and the many, many years you'll have to live with a pacer, go for a MRI-safe pacer. You never know what will happen in all those years. Could be a sports injury, an accident or whatever, and then a MRI might be the best imaging technique. A friend of mine ended up with spine problems, and now she can't have MRIs because of the pacer - very bad, CTs and x-rays are just not as good as MRI pictures.

So far, I have not heard anything about MRI-safe pacers and leads not lasting as long as "normal" pacers. Yes, of course, they have not been on the market that long, but I really don't see any reason why they shouldn't last as long. And regarding leads: My "normal" Medtronic lead broke after just seven years, and I know many others who have had lead problems with normal leads only after a couple of years. So, I'd not say that normal leads definitely will last longer.

Best wishes
Inga

Medtronic Advisa

by IAN MC - 2012-03-20 06:03:01

Hi I had the above model fitted last August and was told at the time that it was not MRI compatible...then a few weeks later I was told that it is.

Apparently there was an initial concern over a batch of leads which they had put in the Advisa but after further tests Medtronic found that the leads were fine.

I specifically asked about longevity and was told that there were no issues there.

It is possible, Renee, that what you were told related to
this model ????

Ian

I have the Medtronic Surescan...

by Lisarose - 2012-03-20 08:03:09

Hello Renee V2.0
I too have the MRI compatable, I have several other health issues which put me at a higher than average chance for CA, so the option of an MRI screen in the future is right for me... you have time to make your choice, advocate for yourself if you want this type of model..... (and leads...) ask your surgeon what exactly is the concern with MRI leads?
Take care and keep in touch...
Lisarose

UK vs US?

by ReneeV2.0 - 2012-03-20 09:03:32

I notice that everyone who has one (who commented) is NOT in the U.S. I assume maybe they have been out longer everywhere else and are new to US doctors?

I will email my EP and see if I can get additional info. I believe her fear was because they were new, she wasn't sure how good they will be in the long term.

Still not sure which unknown is more dangerous! Having leads that don't last, or needing an MRI and not being able to have one.

hmmph.

Future

by ElectricFrank - 2012-03-20 10:03:06

My guess is that all pacers and leads will eventually be MRI Safe. It makes more sense.

frank

Current MRI limitations

by ReneeV2.0 - 2012-03-22 08:03:20

I did find this interesting article that did discuss the limitations of current "MRI Safe" pacemakers.

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2011/02/16/new-wave-of-mri-safe-pacemakers-set-to-ship-to-hospitals/


Doh.. still confused.

Talked to the doc

by ReneeV2.0 - 2012-03-22 08:03:50

I talked to the EP and she said she can give me the medtronic PM and lead set but reminded me that they are "MRI COMPATICBLE" not "MRI SAFE" and that I still will probably never be able to get one of my back or chest... but that its a little safer for limbs. She also said there would still be some risk involved.

Heres my dillema. I REALLY REALLY wanted to the PM with the home monitoring system. I know others think its dumb and over cautious but Im a super anxious person and would love the sense of security in knowing that if anything goes wrong, it would be recorded and would alert my doctor. That one was a St Judes with a merlin setup.

Unfortunately she said they were not interchangeable and the MRI compatible medtronic does not have the home system... but it would send info every 3 months.


I think a lot of people might say "Get the MRI compatible one!" but there are some things that still have me thinking about the home monitoring one from St Judes.


1. If MRIs are still risky... I may not even be brave enough to get in the machine. lol

2. If I still can't get an image of my back, spine, chest, heart than is this more hype then its worth?

3. I am super anxious about the whole thing. I feel like that home monitoring system would give me a least a little sense of security. If not for the good of my heart, it would help my state of mind.


I've also heard really good things about St Judes, so I was kind of happy to pick one of their pacers (at first).

ugh... I'm about to cancel my surgery until I can decide, or just wait until they make something that has both... not sure my doctor would suggest that though.

Confusing

by ElectricFrank - 2012-03-23 01:03:37

These things tend to be. There is no simple answer with the field rapidly changing.

My concern with the present systems is that it requires a lot of technical understanding and care to safely run an MRI even on the compatible pacers. I would hate to be in an accident and unconscious. Some ER would look at my pacer ID card and see that I have an MRI compatible pacer and just shove me into the machine.

I would wind up with a forum name on my gravestone "BBQ'ed Heart".

frank

Lol

by ReneeV2.0 - 2012-03-24 11:03:04

Frank your posts make me laugh every time...

Honestly, I don't think I'd be brave enough to even get an MRI. I'm just a girl who wants something as soon as she's told she can't have it! :)

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