Health Canada has approved a new pacemaker that is compatible with MRIs and that gives patients with the device more diagnostic options.
Melanie Cruise is one of the first patients in Calgary to receive a new MRI compatible pacemaker.
Ironically, it was an MRI scan that led to Melanie's diagnosis and the addition of a pacemaker to help treat her serious heart issue.
"She sent me for an MRI and that's where we found the other issues," said Cruise.
If Melanie needs an MRI in the future she can now have one.
People with an old pacemaker cannot get an MRI because it interferes with and inhibits the device.
"The pacemaker may be inhibited and stop pacing which could be disastrous if someone is dependent on their pacemaker,' said Dr. Anne Gillis from the Libin Cardiovascular Institute.
The next step in research is developing an internal defibrillator that is also MRI compatible
