Replacement This Tuesday-- Help

Pacemaker replacement at end of battery life

by Gemita - 2022-11-06 06:47:44

Mkellyrock, I understand your concerns and see Brady has already given good information.

You ask, “Who gets to decide what device gets implanted?”  It should ideally be a joint decision and there should be a discussion between you and your doctors as to the most suitable device for you based on your lifestyle, your heart or other health conditions present and about any old leads which are still in place and things like this. 

While most newer pacemakers may be safe to use in an MRI environment, particularly if certain safety conditions are met, older leads still in place, may not be MRI safe.  However, some members have been able to get an MRI even in this situation without harm.

Please be assured that providing leads and device are MRI safe when certain conditions are met, most newer pacemaker models can be used in an MRI environment.  My husband and many others have had an MRI with no adverse affects at all.  

The biggest hurdle to getting an MRI is finding hospital personnel who have done MRI scanning frequently on pacemaker patients. Some smaller local hospitals may not be familiar with the protocol and may refuse to carry out an MRI for safety concerns.  This has recently happened to me despite my consultant EP confirming that my pacemaker is MRI safe if certain conditions are met.  I am now being sent to a larger, main teaching hospital where they have extensive experience working with pacemaker patients. 

I hope your pacemaker replacement goes well for you and you will start to feel so much better with the newer technology and that you get that all important MRI scan when you need it

Thanks all.

by mkellyrock - 2022-11-06 14:40:30

I will confirm prior to signing the consent form MRI compatibility.  My existing leads are MRI compatible.  Even for a replacement  I feel this is a big step. Yet the doctors appear to treat it so casually and provide near zero information.     

Best wishes mkelly

by Persephone - 2022-11-06 15:53:23

I hope all goes smoothly for you on Tuesday.

Patient inform and consent

by Mad Hatter - 2022-11-06 18:40:04

I agree that the patient should be informed and consent to the type of pacemaker.  This didn't happen for me until I was being prepped for surgery.  I did not know the brand or model until the manufacturer rep showed up.  It worked out for me but looking back I wish I had asked a lot more questions.