The device was redesigned to allow full-body MRI scans
Picture for representational purpose
Chennai: Patients with implanted pacemakers are usually denied access to MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) because of the potential harmful interaction between the device and the MRI scanner. The ICD (Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) device has been redesigned in such a way that it will allow a full-body MRI access. Sri Ramachandra University announced on Wednesday that the hospital has performed such an implantation for the first time in the country.
Speaking about the ICDs that allow MRI scans, Dr T.R. Muralidharan, HOD of cardiology, Sri Ramachandra medical college and research institute, said the ICD was designed to allow full-body MRI scans. It was only three months ago that the US had its first such implantation. “We have started using this implant for a month now. So far, three patients have undergone this implantation and the cost of the device alone is Rs 5 to Rs 6 lakh,” Dr Muralidharan said.
ICD does the function of both the defibrillator (that gives an electric shock) and a pacemaker, said Dr S. Thanikachalam, director and chairman of cardiac care centre of the hospital. Not every person who has suffered a heart attack requires the ICDs; only those who are at a high risk need this implant. “A sudden cardiac arrest is the abrupt cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively. If the heart stops, within three minutes a shock should be given. Even if it’s given after 8-10 minutes, the survival rate comes down to less than 10 per cent.
About 80 per cent of people with coronary heart disease and people with weak hearts are prone to develop a sudden cardiac arrest,” explained Dr Muralidharan, adding the ICD continuously monitors patients and if the patient is prone to a cardiac arrest, it gives a shock on its own as it is programmed in such a way. Mr S. Sundar, 53, the first person in the city to get the ICD that allows MRI scans said he was on a flight from New Delhi to Chennai recently when he got a severe chest pain with palpitations and profuse sweating.
“In the emergency, the flight landed in Hyderabad and I was given the shock treatment. When I returned to Ramachandra hospital, an ICD was implanted on me,” he said. Doctors said there would not be any irregularity in his heart beat with the implanted device.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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