Pacemakers and MRIs

[pugmom]

DH has just had ACDF surgery for his multiple spine problems. Because he has a pacemaker, although the surgeon was able to diagnose it with CT scans and a myelogram, it seems clear that MRIs are the gold standard for diagnosing spine problems.

His pacemaker battery is due to be replaced, probably later this year. We have thought about asking his cardiologist if the pacemaker, not just the battery, could be replaced with one that is MRI-compatible.

Has any had an MRI-compatible pacemaker installed?

Any comments about your experience would be welcomed.

 

[razztazz]

DH has just had ACDF surgery for his multiple spine problems. Because he has a pacemaker, although the surgeon was able to diagnose it with CT scans and a myelogram, it seems clear that MRIs are the gold standard for diagnosing spine problems.

His pacemaker battery is due to be replaced, probably later this year. We have thought about asking his cardiologist if the pacemaker, not just the battery, could be replaced with one that is MRI-compatible.

Has any had an MRI-compatible pacemaker installed?

Any comments about your experience would be welcomed.

I just had my annual check-in with the cardiologist in charge of my pacemaker/ICD and I asked this very question. They said it was safe for an MRI. I have a Medtronic.

It says this on the back of the card I carry in my wallet:

l have a/an Evera MRIXT DR Deflbrillator
implanted.
This patient has a complete MR Conditional system
implanted, consisting of a SureScan device and
SureScan lead(s). For important MRlsafety
information, visit www.mrisurescan.com

From what I can see, replacing the device is one thing. Replacing the leads is something else. The leads are the wires attached to the heart and as far as I know they only replace them if the go bad and become life threatening. It's not the kind of surgery you want to do unless it's absolutely necessary.

 

[ivinsfan]

From what we know modern pacers after 2000 and any functioning pacer would be newer then that are safe to run through an MRI. I feel your back surgeon was misinformed. I love our heart hospital/clinic they have huge onsite pacemaker clinic where they can do anything in real time and full time trained reps from Medtronic in this case who are always up to date about all these details.

 

[razztazz]

From what we know modern pacers after 2000 and any functioning pacer would be newer then that are safe to run through an MRI. I feel your back surgeon was misinformed.

This sounds like it rubs up against something mentioned in a different ongoing thread. People's doctors, particularly specialists, don't talk to each other.

 

[Keim]

Anytime they are rrplacing the battery, the entire drive unit is being replaced. Minus the leads that go to the heart.

 

[ivinsfan]

Anytime they are rrplacing the battery, the entire drive unit is being replaced. Minus the leads that go to the heart.

It's a sealed unit depleted battery signals end of useful life.

 

[retire to nature]

I used to work for MRI dept. not a technologist though. I think ivinsfan is right. most of pace maker case could be done but need more time to prep and many titles like dr, rn, physicist etc. have to be there during the mri run. so need to be scheduled in advance for all the team member schedule to be met. We know most of cases were nothing happened, so we get bored most of time and just do small talks there while monitoring. But it is a requirement not a preference. so it wont happen until the whole team get there. I am not sure if all the hospitals are same but I would assume it would be similar. I guess for that reason, only big hospitals can run pacemaker cases to meet the requirement.

 

[Luvtoride]

Interesting thread for me as my pacemaker is reaching “end of life” (hate that they use that term) and will need to be replaced after 10 years in the next few months.
Although I haven’t spoken to my cardiologist yet about the specifics of my new PM, I’m sure that the technology is much more advanced and my replacement will be “state of the art”. If I can have MRIs in the future with the new PM does that mean I can safely pass thru Metal Detectors at sporting and other venues in the without needing to be patted down?
Best of luck with your DH, Pugmom.

 

[BuysToys]

Certain pacemakers are MRI compliant with some MRI machines. There are new models out that may or may not be compatible with your particular pacemaker. Always keep the card of your pacemaker model with you. That also goes for stents.

 

[pugmom]

Thanks everyone. We have been told that 1) DH's pacemaker is definitely NOT MRI compatible; 2) newer pacemakers are; 3) the leads, which do not normally get replaced for a battery, are also NOT MRI compatible....

So we feel like we have been told that he would have to have a complete pacemaker replacement, including the leads, to be able to have MRIs for his spinal problems.

I guess we are hopeful that MRIs can better diagnose them.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Thanks everyone. We have been told that 1) DH's pacemaker is definitely NOT MRI compatible; 2) newer pacemakers are; 3) the leads, which do not normally get replaced for a battery, are also NOT MRI compatible....

I am in this boat, my pacemaker is MRI compatible but my leads are not. They do NOT REPLACE leads unless they are bad, and when they do, they do not actually remove the old ones, they leave them in and cut the leads, then re-install new ones. At least that is what my cardiac surgeon told me. That was 3 years ago. Unless they remove the old ones, it will not fix the MRI issue.

 

[ivinsfan]

I am in this boat, my pacemaker is MRI compatible but my leads are not. They do NOT REPLACE leads unless they are bad, and when they do, they do not actually remove the old ones, they leave them in and cut the leads, then re-install new ones. At least that is what my cardiac surgeon told me. That was 3 years ago. Unless they remove the old ones, it will not fix the MRI issue.

SWR how old are your leads?



I just read a John Hopkins article about MRI limitations o and there is a long list of conditions that limit MRI including former bullet wounds, shrapnel and tattoos among other things..

 

[ShokWaveRider]

SWR how old are your leads?

My Pacemaker was installed in 2006 so 16 years. I called the manufacturer and they said the leads are not MRI compliant, or rather they have not been tested to be, and were not likely to be.

 

[Bamaman]

PUGMOM: Your husband has a Medtronic rep that's assigned to his case, and they're available to answer your questions. I would suggest you contact him.

My wife recently had a Medtronic neurostimulator installed, and she has her Medtronic Representative's cell phone # to call at any time.

He ought to be available. Medicare paid the hospital $65,000 for the stimulator plus the costs of outpatient surgery.

 

[ivinsfan]

PUGMOM: Your husband has a Medtronic rep that's assigned to his case, and they're available to answer your questions. I would suggest you contact him.

My wife recently had a Medtronic neurostimulator installed, and she has her Medtronic Representative's cell phone # to call at any time.

He ought to be available. Medicare paid the hospital $65,000 for the stimulator plus the costs of outpatient surgery.

Medtronic provides over the top customer support.. MY DH's pacer installed in dec of 21. has phone app monitoring 24/7...downloads and does a complete systems check of the pacer quarterly. These are automatically transmitted to pacemaker clinic. Has in clinic company reps that are available for any tweaking or questions we have. . there is a hefty upfront charge which is part of the pacemaker cost but these things are all provided with no additional billing for the life of the unit.


We had a problem with the pacer alerting to a problem directly after hubbys last surgery, this was fixed in the hospital . The minute we got home and connected to the monitor it began alerting the clinic of a serious event. Sounded like an ambulance chime for 30 sec a day. They couldn't turn it off at the office because the pacer wouldn't reset it remotely, it said the issue was too serious and required in patient resetting. It hadn't been reset at the hospital as it should have.


The rep drove 60 miles to our local clinic met us and did the resetting no charge. When I thanked her she said our mistake and I was happy to come to you.



A rather long winded way of saying Medtronic reps are on the ground and willing to help you if you contact them.

 

[razztazz]

A Medtronic rep was in the operating room for mine.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Same above-mentioned Top Notch service and monitoring from St. Jude's now owned by Abbot Labs.