Medtronic Unveils New Pacing System For MRI Machines In Selected European Geographies

Medtronic has reported the commercial availability of a second-generation Advisa DR MRI SureScan pacemaker in selected European geographies.

Medtronic said that patients with Advisa DR MRI SureScan pacing system will now have access to full body scans, without positioning limitations in the MRI scanner. The Advisa DR MRI SureScan pacing system currently is not approved for sale in the US.

The Advisa MRI device includes sophisticated therapies such as Anti-Tachycardia Pacing (ATP) and diagnostics such as the Cardiac Compass Report and tachyarrhythmia management tools that assist in the early detection and termination of atrial fibrillation (AF).

The other therapies provided by the Advisa MRI device include the Rate Drop Response that identifies abrupt cardiac slowing and responds by pacing the heart at an elevated rate, which may reduce the frequency of syncopal (fainting) episodes in patients with apparent cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope. The Advisa MRI device also provides high upper tracking rates up to 210 beats per minute (bpm), which may be beneficial for pediatric patients, as well as older active patients.

The Advisa MRI device offers remote follow-up via the Medtronic CareLink Network, which transmits comprehensive arrhythmia and diagnostic device data to a physician’s clinic. In addition, the Advisa MRI pacemaker features OptiVol Fluid Status Monitoring, which, together with the Heart Failure Management Report, tracks and reports fluid changes using intrathoracic impedance measurements.

These measurements may be used to detect potential fluid buildup before heart failure symptoms appear and also are available on Medtronic CareLink Network, enabling a fluid status check from a patient’s home.

Medtronic’s advanced pacemaker provides patients with exclusive technology, such as MVP (Managed Ventricular Pacing), which is proven to reduce unnecessary ventricular pacing by 99%, and complete automaticity, including Ventricular and Atrial Capture Management (VCM and ACM) and automatic sensing.

Pat Mackin, president of cardiac rhythm disease management business and senior vice president at Medtronic, said: “Half of the world’s pacemakers implanted are from Medtronic, and the number one unmet need is MRI compatibility. We are pleased to offer physicians a choice from the portfolio of MRI-compatible devices for patients who may need access to the critical diagnostics available through MRI.”