Vivus BMJ Heart Centre, a mid-sized cardiac care centre, has implanted a new pacemaker developed by the US-based Medtronic. EnRhythm MRI SureScan pacemaker was embedded into a 61 year-old patient suffering from Bradycardia, a condition where the heart beat is less than 60 per minute leading to a cardiac failure.

The implant is the first-of-its- kind in Karnataka bringing relief to scores of patients diagnosed of this condition, said Dr. Keshava R, Sr. Cardiologist & Director-Cathlab Services, Vivus Hospital in Bangalore.

“This is a breakthrough development in medical field compared to conventional pacemakers, which if exposed to MRI scans pose fatal complications. When exposed to MRI scan, tips of the pacemaker’s leads can get heated up to 80°C due to radio waves and cause burns in the heart. In addition, the MRI scan can inhibit the function of device and induce rapid heart beat or even device failure leading to irreversible damage to the patient, he added.

It is estimated one million people worldwide get pacemaker implanted every year of which 50-75 per cent of these cases require an MRI scan during lifetime.

Number of implanted pacemakers are on the rise going by the increased incidence of the poor heart performance among patients. MRI scan is important and at times, it is the only diagnostic modality available for diseases. However, patients with pacemakers implanted are strictly prohibited to MRI exposure. This is where the new innovation has come in as a saviour to patients. For patients above 60 years who are most likely to get a pacemaker implanted, the chances of MRI scan in their lifetime doubles, said Dr. Keshava.