Highland heart patients are now safe for MRI scans

PATIENTS with pacemakers can now safely be scanned at Raigmore Hospital after the arrival of new equipment and careful planning by staff there.

MRI scanners contain strong magnets that can pull certain metals in any direction, affecting certain implants or metallic fragments in the body.

Until now Highland patients fitted with pacemakers who require scans have had to be referred further afield for the procedure, but last month William Munro became the first ever patient with a pacemaker to have an MRI scan at Raigmore Hospital.

It came after the installation of two new GE Healthcare MRI scanners.

Stewart Murdoch, cross-sectional radiographer for NHS Highland, said discussions at Raigmore Hospital about the imaging of patients with pacemakers have been ongoing for a number of years.

And he added: “During university years radiographers were always told that pacemakers are a complete no-no when it comes to MRI imaging.

“However, with recent developments in pacemaker technology, pathways can now be put in place to ensure that patients with such implants are kept safe in the MRI environment.”

Team leader Adam Scotson added: “The enthusiasm of the team to take this forward has to be applauded.”

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