Heart implant patients to get easier MRI access

Compatibility issues between heart implant devices and MRI scanning may soon be a thing of the past, according to one tech firm.

Biotronik, the developer of ProMRI - a technology that allows heart failure patients with CRT devices to take advantage of MRI scans - has launched a new online tool for tracking the status of implantable devices.

The online interface of ProMRI SystemCheck acts as a reference point for those looking to check if a certain pacemaker or ICD system is approved for MR scanning. After selecting the country in an auto-complete menu, users may input the names of pacemakers, ICDs, implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) and leads. The next step then brings up information about whether these devices are MR conditional. The site also includes a crucial overview of scanning conditions for particular device and lead combinations, as well as required checks for each device before scanning.

"As a pioneer of ProMRI technology, Biotronik has always placed the utmost value on innovative and high quality products and their ease of use," said Wolf Ruhnke, Vice President at Biotronik. "This is why we invest in innovative online tools like the ProMRI System Check, which enables users to quickly and conveniently obtain important information about our ProMRI devices and leads."