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MRI compatible pacemaker and MRI scan

Posted ,

derek76
derek76

I was fitted with an MRI compatible Boston Scientific single chamber pacemaker in July, Device L110, Lead 1 7742.

 My neuro surgeon wants me to have a full spine MRI and for convenience have it done privately at my local hospital  where Inhealth run the facility for private and NHS patients rather than at the Nuffield. He asked my cardiologist at the local hospital to make the arrangements for the pacemaker to be adjusted for the procedure.

After a five week silence I contacted the consultants PA who had also noticed the delay but was only getting voicemail in her calls to the hospital (surprise?) when trying to expedite it.

She called me back today to say that they had told her that they only scan Medtronic pacemakers. She suggested that I will need to go elsewhere or settle for a CT scan.

I checked my pacemaker on the Boston site and it can be switched to MRI protection mode and full body scans can be done without time limitations.  It is compatible with 1.5 and type 3.0 scanners.

Prior to the pacemaker being fitted I also had a problem with Inhealth when they said that they could not do a scan as I have a tissue aortic valve. That took days to sort out.

I then phoned the pacemaker clinic who could not see any problem in doing the scan but are going to double check for me. His only suggestion was that Inhealth are not familiar with this make but as it seems to be the product of choice with my EP that would be strange.

Has anyone else here with a pacemaker had a problem getting an MRI scan done

 

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • frank68910
    frank68910 derek76

    Posted

    well derek-I am sorry no one has answered your post.  I was browsing for a condition I have called A-fibrillation as well as V-tachycardia.  I'm hoping all went well with you.  I had an implanted heart loop monitor and didn't have any issues with that but I had some olf metal left over from the service that popped right out-they didn't cause much problem as they were in my chin but it was a bit messy and scared everybody-all I felt was the heat.  Hope all went well
    • derek76
      derek76 frank68910

      Posted

      I have AF and had the pacemaker fitted for bradycardia. My heart rate was normally in the 40s but would sink into the 30's with 3.5 second pauses.
  • derek76
    derek76

    Posted

    I'm still waiting. The hospital that fitted the pacemaker later phoned me to say that they were about to agree a protogol with InHealth. I then had a pacemaker check, ECG and chest X-Rays. The next week they phoned to say that the protocol had not been agreed. By then I had cancelled at the other hospital that I was not happy with as they wanted £300 more plus another £250 for a report on it. They also did not follow the protocol as laid down by Boston Scientific so I decided to wait a bit longer for the local hospital but it has not happened.

    It seems that none of the 25 odd InHealth locations do it. I also contaced several London hopitals who do not do this make.

    A local BUPA hospital said that they would do it if I have the pacemaker reset at the local hospital. Then the cardiologists at the BUPA hospital said that they were not happy with it being set elsewere.

     

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