mri

I need to have MRI scan due to back & leg problem, have any peeps had this with a PM   

5 Comments

MRIs with a pacemaker

by LondonAndy - 2018-06-11 17:49:40

I had an MRI scan (at St Batholomew's Hospital, London) last October, without any issues at all.  However, it was a long struggle to get the scan done, and a pacemaker technician had to attend before and after the scan to put it into "safe mode" (basic operation I think), and then restore settings afterwards.

Radiologists seem to be generally, and understandably, scared of doing harm when they scan people with a cardiac device, given that an MRI machine is a huge magnet.  But recent pacemakers (mine is less than 4 years old) that are MRI conditioned are well shielded and now considered safe for scanning.

Barts did my scan on behalf of another hospital that had refused, and are offering the service more widely.  If you have difficulties getting a scan done I have a contact who I can pass on to you.

mri

by annie21 - 2018-06-11 18:00:33

Thanks, Andy for the info, 

MRI

by AgentX86 - 2018-06-11 22:20:28

I was just warned to go to a hospital for any MRI that I may need.  The PM tech just said that the "MRI In a Box" may not have the training needed for pacemakers.  Hospitals will have a PM tech on-hand to reprogram the device.

Leads.

by Bionic Beat - 2018-06-13 01:03:39

Remember the dates of your lead implants.  Even if you device is shielded enough, the leads if older, may not be okay for an MRI.

I have a newer pacer but my leads were put in in 2008, so no MRIs for me.  ever

 

Bionic Beat

mri

by annie21 - 2018-06-13 13:47:05

thanks, had my leads since 2004,  guess i will not be having the mri .

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