pacemakers and mri

[cardinal177]

I am having a pacemaker fitted soon, but will also need an mri for another condition..is this safe?

[HumanZoomieMachine]

Sounds like it depends on the device.... But if it's not even fitted yet then you can always ask to make sure its MRI safe

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[EMBoy]

Hi cardinal 177,

I think that most modern pacemakers are safe with MRI scans - mine certainly is, although I've never had to test it. From what I can gather, an electrophysiologist needs to be present during the procedure, in case the pacemaker has to be re-programmed.

I'm sure everything will be OK, but your cardiologist will explain it all to you.

Best wishes.

[cardinal177 in reply to EMBoy]

Thank you that’s very helpful.

[Dixy]

My husband usually gets in touch with pacing, the department who deals with ICDs and pacemakers, talks to them. They can find out if they need to be there and switch you off or reprogramme the device. The departments requesting the scans or treatment etc rarely know if the device will be effected. Nothing worse than getting to hospital and finding out they cannot do anything because of your device. This is of course is our experience and others may find things different but its best to be on the safe side.

[cardinal177 in reply to Dixy]

Thanks will keep that in mind

[Alison_L]

Hi Cardinal. I have an ICD, but have just been diagnosed with a brain tumour (non-cancerous), so will have to have regular MRIs. I had one in Feb (when a guy from the Pacing clinic come down and turned off the ICD, then reset it after the scan), and the next is mid-Sept. The second one was booked for today, but in a mobile MRI unit. I phoned them up and said, you do know I've got an ICD, don't you? They said, oh... we'll get back to you - you can't have it in the mobile unit on a Saturday as there's no one available to come out from the Pacing Clinic!

You will be fine, but you just need to double-check with them each time they book an MRI. My new booking letter actually says "you will be met by a member of the Pacing team".

[cardinal177 in reply to Alison_L]

tHANK YOU! and all the best to you🙂

[Diddyd]

I had an MRI in Dec. It was urgent and they could not do it as an A and E admission but had to wait a few days to get the cardiology physiologists to be present - the ones who tweak your settings at pacing clinic.

There were lots of checks with the paperwork/passport for serial number etc to check the CRT-P was a safe model with MRI

They did not fully switch off the PM, as my escape rhythm is too low. They switched off the lead that is in/near the vein but left the one on that is deeper in the heart. The deeper one would be protected by its positioning so they said and less likely to be damaged.

It felt very strange but was ok. They told me to press the button/alarm that is given in your hand if I felt breathless or any strange symptoms and waited out side the room. I was fine so had no need to press the alarm button.

Then afterwards, my settings were restored to what they had been prior to the scan.

All was ok afterwards and I have had no need to go back to clinic outside my normal appointments.

Hope that helps and all goes well for you

[cardinal177 in reply to Diddyd]

Thank you!