How many of your patients are excluded from the benefits of MRI because of their implantable cardiac device?

Most likely several, since no existing cardiac device is considered safe in the MR environment. The purpose of this site is to document this predicament.

The Dilemma

As MRI use increases, so too does the number of patients benefiting from pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). This convergence results in an escalating number of patients who may be denied MR diagnostic imaging.

The Impact

• MRI scans are potentially unsafe and off-limits for > 2 million Americans because they have an implanted cardiac device.¹
• In 2004 alone, about 200,000 implantable cardiac device patients were denied the benefits of an MR scan ²
• 40% of Europeans and 50-75% of Americans with implantable devices will be indicated for MR scanning over the lifetime of their device ²
• Every 3 minutes in the US, and every 6 minutes in Europe, a patient is denied an MRI because of the presence of a pacemaker or defibrillator ^2-5

* Copyrighted information provided with permission from IMV Medical Information Division. 2004 MRI Benchmark Report.

** Cumulative implants minus mortality. Medtronic data on file.

References

1. Modern implantable heart devices safe for use in the MRI scans. Cardiovascular Week. 2005; March 28:193.
2. Medtronic data on file.
3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Equipment-Global Strategy Business Report, Global Industry Analysts, Inc. San Jose, CA. 2002.
4. 2002/03 MRI Benchmark Report, IMV Medical Information Division. Des Plaines, IL. 2003.
5. GE Medical Systems. Waukesha, WI. Press Release, 2002.

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