White County Medical Center has announced that it successfully conducted its first MRI scan on a patient with the Revo MRITM SureScan® pacing system.

The Revo MRITM SureScan® pacemaker is the first MR-Conditional pacemaker system to be designed, tested and FDA approved for use in the MRI environment. (MR-Conditional is a term used to indicate that a device may be used in an MRI environment under certain conditions, such as certain type of MRI scanner or scanner settings.)

Patient Gloria Martin, of Searcy, who was implanted with the Revo MRI pacemaker in May 2011, successfully underwent an MRI to monitor a mass in her brain.

Prior to the Revo MRI SureScan pacing system, MRI procedures for patients with implanted pacemakers were not recommended because the patients might face serious complications during the scan due to interference with pacemaker operation, damage to system components, lead or pacemaker dislodgement.

Developed by Medtronic (NYSE: MDT), the Revo MRI SureScan pacing system is the first pacing system of its kind in the U.S. The Revo MRI SureScan pacing system was designed to address safety concerns around MRI procedures for patients who have implanted pacemakers. MRI scanners may cause traditional pacemakers to misinterpret MRI-generated electrical noise and withhold pacing therapy or deliver unnecessary pacing therapy. The Revo MRI pacing system, when programmed into SureScan mode prior to an MRI scan, is designed to be used safely in the MRI environment.

“Gloria is the first person with the Revo MRI SureScan pacemaker to undergo an MRI here at White County Medical Center,” said Cardiologist Eric Robinson, M.D. “I thought she was the perfect candidate for this particular pacemaker because she has regular MRI scans to monitor the mass in her brain.”

Dr. Robinson learned about the Revo MRI SureScan pacemaker shortly after it was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) early last year. In working with Medtronic and WCMC Administration, he and the hospital were able to make the technology available to Gloria.

“Before this advanced technology became available, patients who needed regular MRI scans would either have to live without a pacemaker and suffer the possible consequences, or they would only be able to have a CT scan, which can be less accurate than a MRI when looking at a mass, for example,” Dr. Robinson said.

“This Medtronic pacemaker has made a significant impact on Gloria, her medical care and quality of life,” he added. “When we first discussed it, she responded positively and was glad there was such a product that would allow her to live better and also allow her to receive MRI scans.”

“MRI scans are used to diagnose an array of medical conditions; therefore, this pacemaker is a significant advancement in that it no longer limits patients like Gloria to the testing they can have done,” Dr. Robinson said. “This is the biggest advancement for this type of technology since the pacemaker was originally invented.”

Gloria, along with her granddaughter Jennifer Fisher, expressed their thankfulness for Dr. Robinson in acquiring the pacemaker technology. “If it weren’t for Dr. Robinson, I wouldn’t have this pacemaker,” Gloria said. “He spoke up for me to get this device, and I cannot say enough good things about him. The pacemaker is working well, and I feel good.”

“We are fortunate that we can still monitor the mass in her brain and have the pacemaker as well,” Jennifer added. “If it weren’t for the MR-Conditional pacemaker, we would have to sacrifice one health condition for another, and we wouldn’t be able to keep up with the growth of the brain mass.”

According to Medtronic Representative David Ransom, WCMC was the first hospital in Arkansas to implant the Revo MRI SureScan pacing system in a patient, which was done by Cardiologist Leon Blue, M.D., in 2011.

The number of patients with pacemakers is growing at the same time that the use of MRI is increasing. About 40 million MRI scans are performed annually in the U.S. and WCMC performed 3,833 MRI scans last year. MRI is often preferred by physicians because it provides a level of detail and clarity not offered by other soft tissue imaging systems.

“Medical imaging and electronic implantable devices such as pacemakers are important technological advances, particularly in our older population,” said Amy Castera, Director of Radiology at WCMC. “White County Medical Center is proud to provide safer access to MRI for our patients. We encourage our patients to talk to their doctor about which pacing system is right for them.”

ABOUT WHITE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER

As the leading healthcare provider in a six-county area, White County Medical Center associates strive to create a healthy community by providing quality patient care and participating in community health events. White County Medical Center is the largest employer in Searcy with more than 1,500 associates. The facility has a combined total of 438 licensed beds and a medical staff of 150 physicians that specialize in various areas of healthcare.

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PHOTO:  Patient Gloria Martin, of Searcy, was the first patient with a Revo MRITM SureScan® pacemaker to undergo an MRI scan at White County Medical Center. Cardiologist Eric Robinson, M.D. implanted the Revo MRI pacemaker in May 2011. The specialized pacemaker allows Gloria to successfully and safely undergo annual MRI scans to monitor a mass in her brain.