Sonora Regional Medical Center Leading the Region with Advanced Pacemaker Technology
March 1, 2011
Sonora,
California
Sonora Regional Medical Center is now offering the latest in pacemaker technology for cardiac patients. Eric Hemminger, MD, a cardiologist with Sierra Cardiology, implanted the first MRI-conditional pacemaker in Tuolumne County for a local patient. This new technology is not widely available yet – placing the Medical Center at the forefront of this advanced technology.
The pacemaker was designed, tested, and FDA approved for use in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) environment. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this device,” said Dr. Hemminger. “Essentially patients can now live completely normal lives with their pacemakers without being concerned about the implications of having an MRI.”
Dr. Hemminger explained that pacemakers have come a long way from the days when even microwaves interfered with these devices. Prior to the new device, the Revo MRI SureScan pacing system developed by Medtronic, patients with implanted pacemakers had to forego MRI scans due to concern about serious complications. MRI machines can interfere with the functionality of pacemakers, damage the components, and even dislodge the implanted devices but the MRI-conditional pacemaker diminishes these concerns.
Dr. Hemminger says, “I am thrilled to be able to offer this technology to patients concerned about the implications of living with a rhythm device.”
For more information about the Revo MRI SureScan pacing system go to www.medtronic.com/patient/revomri. To find out if the MRI-conditional pacemaker might be right for you, call Sierra Cardiology at 532-0511 to schedule an appointment.
