CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Parkridge Medical Center and Christian Allan, MD, diagnostic cardiologist, have become the first in the Chattanooga area to implant an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) approved for use with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. This new device is leading the way in offering patients with ICDs a higher standard of care.
ICDs are devices that monitor heart rhythms and deliver electric pulses if the heartbeat becomes irregular. They are necessary for many people at risk for serious heart conditions like cardiac arrhythmia or sudden cardiac arrest. People with an ICD, throughout their lives, may require MRI scans for a variety of medical conditions, but are prevented from receiving these scans because MRI scans can potentially interfere with the ICD’s functioning. Patients who are candidates for this new type of ICD will now be able to receive treatment for their cardiac arrhythmias and, if necessary, receive MRIs that may aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of other medical conditions.
Dr. Allan recognizes the need for an MRI-compatible ICD, and says such compatibility will likely be the standard for ICDs in the future. “MRI-compatible pacemakers have been around for a while and are now the norm. I am pleased the technology to make an ICD MRI-compatible is now available,” said Dr. Allan. “MRI-compatible ICDs do everything a non-MRI-compatible ICD does, and I believe these new devices will become the standard of care.”
“It’s important that everyone, especially patients who already have serious health conditions like those who need ICDs, are able to access technology like MRI scans. MRI scans allow for earlier detection of many different health issues,” adds Dr. Allan.
For more information about Parkridge Health System, visit ParkridgeHealth.com or call (423) 622-6848.