Concerns about MRI compatibility
- by Bear1984
- 2017-03-06 04:09:11
- Conditions, Meds & Tests
- 2422 views
- 7 comments
Hi everyone, new member, 32 y.o. male; suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere developed 2nd a/v block with frequent fainting/near fainting, and had installed a Boston Scientific Altrua family pacemaker. I am now consumed with unhealthy doubts about whether I made the right decision about what device to put in. Hence me reaching out here to more senior folks for advice. I wonder if I should have put in a device that is MRI-compatible. To the point that I am thinking about removing the device to implant another, while the wires haven't fused to my veins yet. I know it's crazy and unhealthy, but I can't help it at the moment. I don't want to be 50 y.o., dying of a disease I didn't diagnose because of lack of MRI.
Specifically, I am wondering the following:
- 10-20 years down the line, if I install an MRI-compatible device without taking out the current leads, will I get problems from (1) the current leads themselves presenting problems for the MRI machine, sans pacemaker, or (2) from my vein being too clogged with two giant leads (this assumes they haven't invented 2-chamber micro "pill" units by then).
- Does MRI really matter, or is it that other methods like CT scans, combined with new MRI protocols that allow non-chest MRIs, more or less equivalent?
- I didn't go with the MRI device out of concerns that the lead design is new and no one knows if they will last 50+ years, frankly just following the advice of my surgeon without too much own thought. Was this the wrong decision to make?
Sorry for the stupid question. It's just my way of having trouble coping. Thanks in advance.
7 Comments
MRI with pace maker and leads
by zawodniak2 - 2017-03-06 10:26:14
Here in the U. S. there are some higher level medical institutions which perform MRI's on people with non-compatible pace makers and leads. One that I know of is N Y U Langone Medical Center in New York City. The doctors who perform these protocols are Dr. Love and DR. Fowler.
Rodger
mri's
by Tracey_E - 2017-03-06 11:54:44
You'd have to have new leads and device. IMO, the infection risk of that is more of concern than having a device that isn't mri safe. The risk having an mri isn't to the box, but the leads heating and damaging the heart. However, more and more hospitals are able to do mri's on regular pacemakers, esp in Europe tho it's getting more common in the US, and they've found that there have been no problems whatsoever.
There are pro's and con's to going with mri vs not mri. Don't waste a lot of energy second guessing your surgeon. MRI safe leads are thicker, not as well tested, and some of the MRI safe devices don't pace as high as the regular ones. Having an mri safe device doesn't mean you can go just anywhere and have an mri. Only some hospitals are set up for it and there is a specific protocol to follow. Trust that your doctor made the right decision for you and your needs.
I've been paced since 1994. MRI has come up a couple of times but each time CT was able to get the job done. If I were in a situation where I really needed the MRI, I would simply travel to a hospital that can do it. I know more than one person who has done it and it worked out fine.
MRI
by Cabg Patch - 2017-03-07 11:00:45
MRI compatibility is so overplayed...ITS A FRICKING MARKETING/SALES GIMIC.
Any reputable hospital can perform MRI scans with any non-compatible device and/or leads. There are specific protocols to be followed, but there are specific protocols for operation of an MRI on anyone. And just to be clear, they can perform the scan on the heart.
When selecting a device for yourself...DON'T. You need someone who knows what they are talking about to decide what device is best to meet your needs. Very few people have that level of knowledge and can sort out your condition versus the best pacer or defib for you. That's why you pay them the big bucks.
Stop worrying, you've got a device that will sderve you well that was selected by a highly educated doctor who has your best interest at heart. Get on with your life and enjoy it.
Recent paper in New England Journal of Medicine
by Paced2017 - 2017-03-09 23:55:15
A research paper was published last month in the New England of Medicine (N Engl J Med 2017;376:755-64) which investigated the safety of non-thoracic MRI scans (1.5 tesla) in people with non-MRI- conditional pacemakers or ICDs. A specific screening and device reprogramming protocol is decribed in the paper, and no patients in the study who followed this protocol had device or lead failures. There were 1000 pacemaker pateints and 500 ICD patients in the study, and generators and leads were from multiple manufacturers. Only adults were included so the results don't necessarily apply to children, and pacing dependent ICD patients were not included in the study. The study doesn't tell us about the safety of thoracic (chest) MRIs but I think this study does provide some reassurance for those with non-MRI- conditional pacemakers or ICDs.It would be best to discuss this study with your Cardiologist.
Mri compatability
by TBrous&Chip - 2017-03-19 06:45:12
I have to disagree somewhat with cabg patch comments. I am one of hundreds of patients of a doctor. I need to have some idea of what is going on for myself and participate in the decision making for my own well being.
No one is a better advocate for me than myself. Educate yourself and participate in your health decisions. Personally, my pm is mri capable and I am comforted to know this should I need an mri.
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MRI pacemaker
by 84star - 2017-03-06 10:09:59
HI I am 32 also. My doc. Insisted I get a MRI pacemaker because of my age. He said you are so young with a lot of life ahead you at some point in life will probably need an MRI for something down the line... I have MRI safe leads too. I don't know if I personally could make myself go through a change out for that. I think they have other ways of checking people out with pacemakers that can't go in MRI machines. Like ct scans and I am sure there are other things too! I hope you get some good responses on here to help you and relieve some stress about it.