January 26, 2016
LAFAYETTE– Dr. Marc Saad, electrophysiologist at Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) and Lafayette General Medical Center (LGMC), was the first in Lafayette and the second in the state to utilize a new implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) system that is FDA approved for use with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
ICDs detect irregular heartbeats and deliver life-saving therapy to restore a patient’s normal heartbeat. However, patients with ICDs have not previously been able to receive MRI scans because of potential high risk interactions between the MRI and the device function. These MRI restrictions have resulted in a critical need, as more than one-third of patients with ICDs are likely to need an MRI.
An ICD is a small implantable heart device that is placed under the skin, typically just below the collarbone on the left side of the chest. For patients at risk of a life-threatening cardiac event, ICDs may be prescribed to continuously monitor heart rate and deliver an electrical signal to correct an abnormal heart rate, if detected.
An MRI is an imaging test used regularly for a wide-range of diagnoses including conditions such as stroke, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and muscle, bone and back pain, all which are prevalent among older adults.
About the Evera MRI
The Evera MRI™ SureScan® ICD System from Medtronic has been FDA approved to allow for MRI scans on any part of the body. The system includes design enhancements from previous generation devices that allow it to safely undergo full-body MRIs, while maintaining the same longevity, proven shock reduction and physical size and shape of the original Evera ICD. The device is paired with the Sprint Quattro® Secure MRI SureScan® DF4 leads, backed by more than 10 years of proven performance with active monitoring, now tested for safe use during an MRI. The FDA approval of the Evera MRI ICD system was based on safety and efficacy data from the randomized, controlled Evera MRI clinical trial that demonstrated that the Evera MRI ICD system is safe and effective, and that full-body MRI scans did not affect its ability to deliver life-saving therapy.