Methodist Health System | Methodist Mansfield Medical Center | Shine | Winter 2014-2015

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Methodist Mansfield
is the first hospital in
North Texas to offer an
MRI-safe pacemaker
DID YOU KNOW?
As an accredited Cycle IV Chest Pain Center, Methodist Mansfield is prepared to
care for hearts in trouble, including yours. Find a board-certified cardiologist
on our medical staff at or by
calling 877-637-4297.
your heart
Barbara Hanson has been teaching visually
impaired students for 22 years, helping to address
their special needs while inspiring their natural
curiosity and joy of learning. At age 74, she’s as
engaged as she was on her first day of teaching.
But recently, fatigue and vertigo nagged her.
“When I got up in the morning, I felt dizzy and
had trouble keeping my balance and catching my
breath,” Barbara says. “It was a struggle just to get
out of bed. I was tired all the time.
“After a few months, I realized that this wasn’t
going away and that it was preventing me from
doing the things that I love.”
A friend recommended that Barbara see Alan
Taylor, MD, cardiologist on the medical staff at
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.
Moving to a steady beat
After conducting a number of tests, Dr. Taylor
diagnosed Barbara with a low resting heartbeat. A
pacemaker would help to keep her heartbeat steady —
and, in turn, help keep her steady on her feet.
Darien Bradford, MD, implanted the pacemaker
on May 15, and Barbara was home within 24 hours.
“I can keep up with my grandchildren now, and
I’m not worried about falling down,” she says. “I’m
not going to miss a beat. And I won’t be called
‘weeble-wobble grandma’ anymore.”
Going strong for years to come
Also good news for Barbara is that she won’t have
to worry about the pacemaker interfering with
future medical care. Methodist Mansfield was the
first hospital in North Texas to implant the new
Entovis ProMRI® System, and Barbara was the lucky
recipient. This pacemaker is proven safe for patients
receiving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
“Many cardiology patients are at a higher risk
for other vascular diseases, and they may need an
MRI scan during their lifetime,” Dr. Taylor says.
“For patients with pacemakers, this is problematic
because the MRI equipment can damage traditional pacemakers.
With this advanced pacemaker device, MRI is possible. It is a
significant breakthrough.”
MRI scans serve as a primary diagnostic tool for many patients
who have chronic atrial fibrillation or moderate to severe injuries,
like hip fractures and head traumas. They are also used for
patients who have had a stroke, lost consciousness, or fallen.
Since receiving her MRI-safe pacemaker, Barbara is once again
on the go, enjoying long walks, water aerobics, and the quilting
she missed so much.
“I’m back traveling from school to school teaching Braille, and
I’ve visited my son and daughter-in-law in England,” Barbara says.
“Nothing is stopping me now.”
Now that her new pacemaker has stabilized her heartbeat, Barbara Hanson can enjoy her
work teaching visually impaired students again.
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center • ❁ Winter 2014 – 2015 11