Greater Waterbury Imaging Center is now one of only a handful of MRI centers in the state of Connecticut to be certified to scan patients with the Medtronic MRI SureScan Pacing System.

This system is specifically designed for MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging safety.   The Medtronic MRI SureScan Pacing System is the first MRI pacing system to be FDA cleared for use with an MRI machine. Now patients with this Medtronic pacing system can get access to MRI scanning at GWIC.

It is important to understand that the Medtronic MRI SureScan Pacing System is MR Conditional, which means that patients may be able to get an MRI exam but only under specified conditions for use. Specifically, the patient must have the complete pacing system implanted including the Medtronic MRI SureScan Pacemaker or IPG (Implantable Pulsing Generator) implanted with two SureScan leads.

MRI is used to diagnosis many conditions including neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiac, and oncological. It is significantly superior to other imaging modalities for many conditions of the brain, spinal cord, and joints and does not have the radiation exposure risk compared to computed tomography or x-ray. According to the following references, 86% of pacemaker patients are older than 65 and have additional conditions and diseases for which MRI may be needed.1-4 

Please call us if you have any questions about safely scanning patients with this pacing system in place.

  1. Zhan C, Baine WB, Sedrakyan A, Steiner C. Cardiac device implantation in the United States from 1997 through 2004: a population-based analysis. J Gen Intern Med. January 2008;23(Suppl 1):13-19.
  2. National Cancer Institute April 2009. US estimated complete prevalence (including counts) by age on 1/1/2006. Based on November 2008 SEER data submission; DCCPS, Surveillance Research Program, Statistical Research and Applications Branch.
  3. Lawrence RC, Helmick CG, Arnett FC, et al. Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and selected musculoskeletal disorders in the United States. Arthritis Rheum. May 1998;41(5):778-799.
  4. American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2010 Update: Learn and Live. Prevalence of stroke by age and sex (NHANES: 2003-2006).

Greater Waterbury Imaging Center specializes in MRI scans for patients in the greater Waterbury, CT area. For people who have claustrophobia, the scanner at Greater Waterbury Imaging Center is a wide-open bore magnet. We are committed to providing you with easy access to care, a comfortable exam and fast, accurate results. Physicians and patients throughout our community depend on us to provide exceptional MRI services. We are now certified to scan patients with the Revo MRI Surescan Pacemaker and pacing system. GWIC is located on the campus of Waterbury Hospital, adjacent to the Emergency Department. We have our own private, gated parking area for the convenience of our patients. If you are looking for an experienced and professional facility to have your MRI scan, contact us for more information or to set up an appointment for your patients, call 203-573-7674.