MRI with Pacemaker

@mbaisley
At Mayo Jacksonville I had a MRI back in 2023 for prostate cancer scree. I have a Boston Scientific ICD/Pacemaker since 2006.

I had to have the special MRI machine to do this. I am not sure what the special one is (I think is lower power). The pace clinic tech was there and turned off my ICD shock.

When finished tech turned back on and did device check. No issues.

Some devices and wires these days are what they call MRI compliant. You have a brand new and current one. Asked about the MRI compliant for your device and wires. You can also go on Medtronic web site and asked per e-mail or call them for the answer as they will have your device serial numbers for both the device and wires.

Yes, twice. The MRI professional at my local hospital knows how to turn my ICD off and uses the regular machine. Turned back on and there were no problems. I am glad to read that @jv76 shared his knowledge about the MRI compliant models and how you can find out more. You wrote that where you are they call the temporary adjustment "reprogramming." Interesting.

Hi Mary, I’m a new Pacer Tech, and I understand why the process might sound a little intimidating.

What you described — checking and programming the pacemaker into an appropriate MRI mode before the scan, having the MRI, and then checking and restoring the pacemaker settings afterward — is a normal part of the process for patients with MRI-conditional pacemaker systems.

The important thing is that the pacemaker and leads are checked to make sure the system meets the required MRI conditions, and that the appropriate settings are selected for you before the scan. Since every patient and device system is different, your cardiology/device clinic and MRI team should determine the appropriate settings and protocol for your specific situation.

I hope hearing that this programming process is an expected part of an MRI with a pacemaker helps make it feel a little less concerning.

Best wishes from South Korea!
Danny

@dannysupreme
Thank you for taking the time to post this. Always great to have a professional medical person giving information.

I think when I had mine they used a lower powered MRI machine. It was a Mayo Jacksonville. I say that as I know I went to a special MRI set up with an office there for the Pace Clinic Tech.

Dr. Kusumoto the head of Electrophysiology and Pace Clinic told me I could still get an MRI even though one of my original pacemaker wires put in in 2006 was not compliant.

Every time I am in pace clinic they have examples of all the pacemaker companies and they all now show MRI compliant.

But your point every patient is different, every specific type of device and wires is specific to every patient, is excellent information.

I do know I was able to get a MRI with contrast for diagnosing my prostate cancer. I had no issues as all. I do know they turned something off prior to test, turned it back on, and then did a complete check of my device right there in an office next to MRI room to make sure all was working as programmed.

I’ve had an MRI since pacemaker insertion, and while I was nervous about it, it was a very straight forward process. Only certain testing facilities are set up to be able to perform the reprogramming of the pacemaker, so make sure to check that out. It literally only took a minute to do the reprogramming of the pacemaker -both before the MRI and after - so it doesn’t add much time to the testing. I was lucky that a hospital that performed the reprogramming was only 30 minutes away, as a friend of mine had to drive for an hour.

I have a card with my ICD information that I keep with my insurance card in my wallet. When I had my MRIs, I presented the card and the MRI professional had all the information he needed. I was under the impression that everyone received one of those cards.

@walkinggirl Thank you for replying to my question. Yes, I received a card that I keep in my wallet. Were any adjustments made to your pacer before you had the MRI?

Thank you.

@mbaisley Yes, it was turned off. I have an ICD and the MRI could cause unwanted shocks. A pacemaker only, (without the defibrillator part) may have a different protocol. Ask your electrophysiologist or cardiologist. What has been the experiences of others reading this? please share!

@walkinggirl
Agree with your post. Exactly what my pace team did prior to my MRI. I also have a pacemaker and they made some change to it but not sure what it was just that they were talking to me about it prior to MRI.

I had no issues and my device was returned to normal settings after the MRI. But they did not stop there they did a complete check of the device and programming.

@walkinggirl I was required to have an MRI at a local hospital which had the specific machine which was compatible with my ICD. There was no requirement for me to prepare in any way for the test.