Beaumont Implants Southeast Michigan’s First MRI-Safe Pacemaker
A Beaumont Hospitals Cardiology team led by electrophysiologist Ilana Kutinsky, D.O., implanted the first MRI-safe pacemaker in Southeast Michigan on February 18 into an 87-year-old Bloomfield Hills man at Beaumont Hospital, Troy. The Revo MRI™ SureScan ® pacemaker used in the procedure is the first pacing system designed, tested and FDA-approved for use with magnetic resonance imaging.
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| Dr. Ilana Kutinsky in first case |
MRI procedures for patients with traditional implanted pacemaker implants are not recommended because these patients could face serious complications, such as interference with pacemaker operation, damage to system components, lead or pacemaker dislodgement or changes in pacing.
Approximately 1.5 million Americans have pacemakers, devices designed to keep the heart beating at a steady rhythm. Most pacemaker patients are 65 and older and at an age when illnesses and injuries requiring MRI develop.
The number of patients with pacemakers is growing at the same time the use of MRI is increasing. About 40 million MRI scans are performed annually in the United States. Beaumont performs approximately 65,000 MRI scans each year. MRI scanning is often preferred by physicians because it provides a level of detail and clarity not offered by other soft tissue (bodily organs, muscles, tendons, nerves, tumors, etc.) imaging methods.
It has been estimated that there is a 50 to 75 percent probability that cardiac device patients will require an MRI over the lifetime of their devices. Furthermore, more than 200,000 patients annually in the U.S. have to forego an MRI scan because they have a pacemaker, an important patient need that this new pacemaker may help address.
“Medical imaging and electronic implantable devices such as pacemakers are important technological advances,” says Dr. Kutinsky. “Beaumont is always looking for ways to provide safer access to MRI for patients with pacemakers who also have conditions that may require MRI testing.”
Developed by Medtronic, the Revo MRI SureScan pacing system has been designed to address safety concerns around MRI procedures for patients who have implanted pacemakers.The Revo MRI pacing system, when programmed into the device’s SureScan mode prior to an MRI scan, is designed to be used safely with MRI scans. The pacing system includes hardware modifications to the device and leads that are designed to reduce or eliminate several hazards produced by the MRI environment.
Beaumont is Michigan’s, and one of the nation’s, most experienced providers of heart care, ranking 28th on the 2010 U.S. News & World Report list of “America’s Best Hospitals” for heart and heart surgery. The Beaumont Heart Center is a comprehensive, state-of-the-art facility that’s dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart problems. The Ernst Cardiovascular Center offers breakthrough specialty clinics with treatments and surgical options for people with high-risk heart and vascular conditions. And, Beaumont’s Ministrelli Women’s Heart Center is the first in Michigan devoted exclusively to the prevention, diagnosis, and research of heart disease in women.
Those wanting more information on the MRI-safe pacemaker can call the Beaumont Heart Center at 248-898-3900.
Background information on MRI-safe pacemaker from Medtronic is here.
Our YouTube video from the Beaumont procedure is available here.
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| Dr. Kutinsky looks at the monitor after placing SE Michigan's first MRI-Safe pacemaker |
