UMass Radiology Receives Award for Participation in Pro MRI Study

 On September 2, 2015 the Department of Radiology was presented with a plaque for an Outstanding Radiology Team award in Phase C of the Pro MRI study. The Pro MRI study, sponsored by BIOTRONIC, Inc was recently completed in three phases over a two-year time period. Historically, permanent cardiac pacemakers have been contraindicated for MRI scans, but the purpose of this study was to “evaluate the safety and efficacy of Biotronik Implantable pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) in conditional MRI environments” says Gregory David, Field Clinical Studies Engineer and IBHRE Certified Cardiac Device Specialist- AP.

Although UMass participated in all three phases of the study, the award received was for phase C, the full body labeling phase. UMASS had the choice to perform cardiac or thoracic spine scans for patients with ICDs, and thoracic scanning was chosen. Unlike most of the other 40 sites, UMass only has one 1.5 Tesla scanner, making it challenging to schedule the 25+ scans in between the true scans, but our wonderful staff made it all possible. “The Department of Radiology at UMass Chan Medical School stood out for its outstanding commitment and positive attitude toward the study”, says Gregory David.

Special thanks to all of the faculty and staff who contributed to the success of this study!

The plaque is displayed at the front desk of the patient MRI office.

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