MRI with Pacemaker and leads?

MRI

by Gemita - 2024-05-18 17:01:30

DSGATTI, I would ask the manufacturer(s) of your new device and old leads and the cardiologist/EP to provide written evidence of your pacemaker system, including all serial numbers for the device and old working leads, and of your heart condition.  I would get all health professionals together to see whether you can safely have those important MRI’s for research.  I believe the main barrier would be if you had fractured or redundant leads, but since you have working leads, it should be possible at least here in the UK, but I am not so sure about where you are?

I usually get my EP to confirm in writing to other health professionals that I may safely have an MRI with my MRI conditional pacemaker and leads.  Here in the UK, I have to go to a main hospital rather than to a local one to have an MRI since MRI staff in a larger hospital will have more experience working with pacemaker patients. 

We recently had another post on this very subject and I attach the link which will give you some important information about conditional and non-conditional devices or leads.  

It should be noted it is usually safe to scan someone with MR non-conditional device/leads.  Several studies have been performed without significant adverse events in non-conditional systems.  Heart Rhythm Society recommends that MRI in non-conditional devices/leads can take place following appropriate preparation (see first link) and as long as no abandoned leads are present.  Good luck and I wish you well.

Please copy and paste the links into your main browser to open:-

https://www.britishcardiovascularsociety.org/resources/editorials/articles/magnetic-resonance-imaging-in-patients-with-cardiac-implantable-electronic-devices-current-recommendations

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/44444/mri

mri

by new to pace.... - 2024-05-18 17:14:41

Sorry to hear you now have Parkinsons.  For me i need to go to hospital to get the MRI.  First i have to have the cardiologist fax over to the hospital that it is ok, Then they have to have their risk management ok it.

Not sure about being 100% paced.

new to pace

Parkinson's

by AgentX86 - 2024-05-19 18:27:48

Wow! That's a tough one. You must be petrified.

It seems that you're likely going to need regular MRIs over the next few years. My DIL had several the first year after she was diagnosed with MS and has one every year, and when something changes. I'd think Parkinson's wouldn't be all that different (diagnostics wise). 

Find out from your neurologist, how often an MRI will be needed, and if there are any diagnostics equally effective at tracking your progress. Armed with this, go to your cardiologist (and EP, if there is one of them in your life) and come to a consensus about your overall treatment. You'll probably have to loop in a radiologist too. They're most often the gate-keeper.  It's their toy and their license/insurance at stake. Get everyone to agree to a plan. Once you get through the first MRI, the next should be easier but you want everyone to agree that there isn't a need to go through this every time.

You're in the US, so there should be a "patient's advocate" in the hospital (hopefully they're all iunder the same roof), who should be able to help shepard you through the labyrinth. Also, find someone, who is willing to be an a$$hole, to yell at anyone who gets in the way.  Sometimes a big force is needed to move big inertia, but you have better things to worry about. Your person has worries, too, but it's considered "normal" for loved ones to vent.  If you do it yourself, you will probably labeled as a "problem patient". You don't want that. Unfortunately, in life there are games that have to be played.

MRI

by Tracey_E - 2024-05-20 11:19:50

I, too, have 30 year old leads. I've discussed MRI at length with my EP, which is what you will want to do also. They can do an MRI on us, though you may have to do some research to find a facility willing to do it. Most will see the age of our leads and give a blanket no. Since there is a compelling reason, and if your EP is on board, you might get someone to make an exception. 

The biggest consideration is there is a risk is damage to the heart if the older leads heat up.

In Europe it's much more common to do MRI's on non-MRI compliant leads, and the success rate is nearly 100%. But in the US they are still hesitant to do it. 

Is extraction a possibility? If you are going to need regular MRI's going forward, it might be worth looking into. Remove the old leads and get MRI conditional, or possibly even leadless. 

MRI with 12 yr old leads was fine

by RioTeresa - 2024-05-20 15:56:53

Hi DSGATTI49:

First, I’m sorry to read about the Parkinson’s diagnosis. I hope everything goes well for you. I just wanted to let you know that the leads shouldn’t be a problem. I am going on 29 years, 100% dependent, received my 4th PM in October 2022 the Azure XT DR MRI and my current leads were implanted with my 3rd PM in 2011. My previous leads implanted in 1995 with my 1st pacemaker were the old J hook type (I was told) while the current are the screw type. I had a conditional MRI (that’s what you’ll have) in May 2023 with no issues & they never even inquired about my leads. A pacemaker rep will come in to make adjustments to your settings just before your test, then they will reset the settings afterwards. You won’t notice anything different with the pacer settings.

I’m currently in need of a lead extraction again as my Atrial lead is fractured & causing lead noise/over sensing/tachycardias/nerve issues, etc. Last time it was the ventricular lead fractured. 

I can’t imagine 30 year old leads - that’s amazing! 

I wish you ALL THE BEST with everything!

Teresa ❤️

37

by dwelch - 2024-06-06 02:25:54

my leads are 37 years old and I have this same question so interested to find out if there are any true facts on the matter and if 1) docs will actually approve it for fear of lawsuits and or 2) folks not knowing they should care just let you just hop in.

Even for a simple stress test I couldnt get the folks together, I showed up with my shorts, etc, had told them when making the appointment I had a pacemaker, they asked ME what my upper limit was and then, well we cant do this on the treadmill.  Still not wanting to actually talk to my cardiologist/EP.  Something as simple as that was a fail (I could do a stress test just not on the treadmill).  I have not NEEDED an MRI, but sounds like you are in a different boat here, so sorry to hear the news and I hope that you can get some coordination between MRI equipment, technicians operating it, doctors responsible for that testing, and your cardiologist and one or more pacer manufacturers (I have four leads using three, 5th pacer, oldest leads 37 years old, one broken 30 years ago, three different brands of leads).

Good luck, be safe.