The Present and the Future of Pacemakers that are MRI Compatible
A pacemaker is a device that is surgically implanted into a patient's chest or abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms. This device uses electric pulses to beat the heart at a normal rate. Cardiac pacemakers are used to treat arrhythmias, an irregular or fast heartbeat. It is composed of two components, such as lead and generator. However, pacemakers are regarded as high-risk medical devices by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thus, these devices undergo rigorous safety and efficacy tests prior to receiving approval. In the United States, several medical device companies have received FDA approval and have launched pacemakers that are MRI compatible. In the past, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was not allowed in patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers. However, technological advances have made it possible thanks to the research efforts of several physicians and researchers. MRI can now be safely performed in many patients with cardiac pa...