New Medtronic Technology Simplifies MRI Screening for Patients with Implanted Cardiac Devices

MRI Care Pathway can increase flexibility and efficiency with new tools developed to streamline workflow

Medtronic has announced the launch of MRI Care Pathway, a new system that can streamline the process of completing MRI scans for patients with Medtronic MRI compatible cardiac devices.

Research shows that 50-70% of all patients with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator system will require an MRI during their lifetime.^1-2 Many of these patients, however, experience cancellations and delays when seeking the MRI scans they need due, in part, to the increased workload burden and expense associated with device checks prior to MRI scans.³

“While this technology has offered a huge improvement to my clinical workflow, its impact on my patients' experiences when getting an MRI has been more important,” said Peter Robertson, MD, electrophysiologist at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart in Murfreesboro, Tenn.  “It allows rapid assurance at the time of the MRI that the scan can be completed safely. The patients can be confident they’re getting the right care, at the right time, and at an imaging center prepared to provide correct care for their device.”

The MRI Care Pathway includes a website and tablet-based application that healthcare providers can use to reduce potential scheduling delays during the MRI scan workflow. The app includes built-in safety features to alert MR technologists if an MRI scan cannot be safely performed.

Before the MRI Care Pathway, cardiologists, MR technologists, and/or clinic staff needed to coordinate to verify the MRI compatibility of a patient’s cardiac device. Now, clinicians can use the website to independently verify whether a patient’s Medtronic device is MRI compatible. If the patient’s Medtronic device is MRI compatible, the patient’s care team can immediately schedule their MRI appointment. At the patient’s MRI appointment, their MR technologist can use the app to automatically set the appropriate device parameters for a safe MRI scan. Following the scan, the MR technologist can use the app to return the patient to their cardiac device’s pre-scan settings. This pathway can enable increased flexibility and efficiency, allowing for timely patient access to MRI scans.

“Medtronic’s MRI Care Pathway is user-friendly and supports MR technologists in quickly conducting safe MRI scans for patients with Medtronic cardiac devices, which can ultimately reduce a patient’s time waiting for important imaging data,” said Jim Vogl, vice president of Patient Care Systems, Cardiac Rhythm Management, which is part of the Cardiovascular Portfolio at Medtronic. “It empowers clinicians and patients to focus on the care they need, the moment they need it.”   

The app is compatible with the Medtronic portfolio of SureScan™ devices, including pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization devices, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and insertable cardiac monitor systems.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the application (app) and it is commercially available in the United States. For more information, please visit https://www.medtronic.com/mri-care/pathways.  

About Medtronic

Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic, visit www.Medtronic.com and follow @Medtronic on Twitter and LinkedIn.

References

1. Kalin R, Stanton MS. Current clinical issues for MRI scanning of pacemaker and defibrillator patients. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2005;28:326–8.
2. Taruya A, Tanaka A, Nishiguchi T, Iwaguro T, Ueno S, Okumoto Y et al. . Necessity of magnetic resonance imaging examinations after permanent pacemaker implantation. Int J Cardiol. 2015;184:497–8.
3. Pitman BM, Ariyaratnam J, Williams K, et al. The Burden of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Checks in the Peri-MRI Setting: The CHECK-MRI Study. Heart Lung Circulation. November 2022;S1443-9506(22)01135-0.