Fortis Hospital, Bangalore has successfully embedded an MRI-compatible pacemaker on a geriatric patient, who was suffering from a rhythmic heart disturbance referred to as arrhythmia. He needed to have a pacemaker implant.

Dr Venketesh, interventional cardiologist from Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore successfully implanted the latest MR compatible pacemaker procedure on the 80-year-old patient.

It is estimated that one million people worldwide go for pacemaker implant every year. Of these, 50 to 75 per cent of these patients need an MRI scan during their lifetime. After 65 years, a person’s chance of needing MRI doubles.

MRI is an accurate diagnostic tool providing more visual clarity over an X-Ray, Ultrasound or CT Scan.

“Before the procedure, cardiac patients with pacemaker was barred from undergoing any MR scanning as exposure to magnetic radiation can lead to serious complications in the patients. However with this newly introduced technological advanced implant patients can easily undergo MRI at any given point in time,” he added.

“This procedure offers safety to the patient and eliminates the inconvenience of frequent follow ups. The automatic feature in the implant calibrates depending on the disease pattern of the patient and thus saving the patient from any kind of risk or emergency,” he said.

An MRI compatible pacemaker will ensure that these patients can safely receive the diagnostic imaging. Since a substantial number of patients are denied MR scan because of the pacemaker implant they are at a huge risk of co-morbid conditions occurring as accurate diagnosis is not possible without an MRI. Hence this new device can eliminate such a risk and help the patients undergo magnetic radiation imaging safely.