New Protocol for MRI and Pacemaker Patients - Mayo Clinic

A new protocol at Mayo Clinic in Arizona allows select patients to have an MRI exam even though they have a pacemaker. Dr. C. Daniel Johnson, M.D., a radiologist, and Dr. Win-Kuang Shen, M.D., a cardiac electrophysiologist, explain the protocol which involves monitoring a patient's heart rhythm in real time by an electrocardiogram in the MRI suite.
The pacemaker is specially programmed to a non-inhibited mode prior to scanning. Patients are supervised by a cardiologist or pacemaker nurse through the procedure. Pulse oximetry and ECG are monitored. The device is then reprogrammed to original settings after the scan is complete.