Stress MRI
What is Stress MRI (perfusion CMR)?
Stress MRI, also known as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for myocardial perfusion, is a non-invasive, painless test used to detect and measure myocardial ischemia. The test provides information about myocardial perfusion both at rest and under stress conditions.
Why should I have a Stress MRI?
It is the most modern, reliable, and accurate non-invasive method for detecting myocardial ischemia to date. It is safe, quick, and does not use radiation. The major advantage of this method is that it simultaneously provides information about myocardial ischemia, the presence of scars, viability, and detailed cardiac function. Indications include investigating the cause of angina symptoms/precordial pain, assessing patients at medium and high preclinical risk for chronic coronary artery disease, determining ischemia and the extent of scarring after a myocardial infarction and before revascularization with stent/bypass, determining the hemodynamic significance of intermediate coronary artery stenoses during classical or CT coronary angiography, and studying arrhythmias.
Is Stress Perfusion MRI better than myocardial scintigraphy and Stress Echo?
Yes. Numerous studies have highlighted the value of Stress CMR. Specifically, Stress MRI has higher sensitivity and specificity compared to other functional imaging diagnostic methods (myocardial scintigraphy, Stress Echo). In other words, it can more accurately detect or rule out myocardial ischemia. Additionally, the same test can detect even small myocardial infarctions and reveal microvascular coronary artery disease, which is difficult to diagnose with other methods. Moreover, the special drug administered is safer than the one used in Stress Echo, as it does not cause real myocardial ischemia. Also, cardiac MRI does not involve ionizing radiation, unlike myocardial scintigraphy.
How is the examination performed?
The examination is conducted in specialized cardiac MRI centers by trained doctors and technologists. After the initial study of the heart's anatomy and function, the cardiologist administers a special drug intravenously (adenosine or regadenoson) for a very short period, which mimics exertion. This method assesses myocardial perfusion through the redistribution of blood flow. Subsequently, a special contrast agent is administered, providing additional information about the presence of infarction scars or fibrosis areas.
How safe is the examination?
The special drug administered is generally considered safe and is used in other specialized cardiological tests (e.g., myocardial scintigraphy). It is administered by a cardiologist with extensive experience, who is present throughout the examination. Significant side effects are very rare, as the drug does not cause real myocardial ischemia, unlike the classical stress test or Stress Echo. The patient's vital signs (heart rate and frequency, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) are continuously monitored. Any adverse effects, if they occur, are mild and last for a few minutes, and there is an antidote that can be administered. After the examination, there are no restrictions; the patient can eat, drink, and resume daily activities, and there is no need to avoid contact with children or pregnant women, as it does not involve radiation.
How should the patient prepare for the examination?
The patient should abstain from consuming coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks containing caffeine for 24 hours before the examination. Also, medications containing theophylline should be discontinued before the test.
How long does the examination take?
The examination takes about 40-50 minutes. However, this time may increase if there are additional clinical questions that need to be answered during the same examination.
Can all patients undergo Stress CMR?
The vast majority of patients can undergo the examination. General contraindications for MRI apply, such as the presence of old, non-MRI-compatible pacemakers/defibrillators, certain electronic devices (insulin pumps, cochlear implants), some categories of vascular clips in the brain, metallic foreign bodies near vital organs, anaphylaxis to the contrast agent, and severe claustrophobia.
Additionally, the administration of the special vasodilator drug during Stress CMR is contraindicated in cases of severe atrioventricular block, significant sinus bradycardia (<40 beats/min), severe hypotension, or active bronchospasm.
Why should I have the examination at Affidea Central?
At Affidea Central, a specialized protocol for cardiac MRI for myocardial perfusion is conducted according to the guidelines of the European and American Society, by a cardiologist with extensive experience in this field, following many years of specialization in the United Kingdom.
Stress MRI
What is Stress MRI (perfusion CMR)?
Stress MRI, also known as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for myocardial perfusion, is a non-invasive, painless test used to detect and measure myocardial ischemia. The test provides information about myocardial perfusion both at rest and under stress conditions.
Why should I have a Stress MRI?
It is the most modern, reliable, and accurate non-invasive method for detecting myocardial ischemia to date. It is safe, quick, and does not use radiation. The major advantage of this method is that it simultaneously provides information about myocardial ischemia, the presence of scars, viability, and detailed cardiac function. Indications include investigating the cause of angina symptoms/precordial pain, assessing patients at medium and high preclinical risk for chronic coronary artery disease, determining ischemia and the extent of scarring after a myocardial infarction and before revascularization with stent/bypass, determining the hemodynamic significance of intermediate coronary artery stenoses during classical or CT coronary angiography, and studying arrhythmias.
Is Stress Perfusion MRI better than myocardial scintigraphy and Stress Echo?
Yes. Numerous studies have highlighted the value of Stress CMR. Specifically, Stress MRI has higher sensitivity and specificity compared to other functional imaging diagnostic methods (myocardial scintigraphy, Stress Echo). In other words, it can more accurately detect or rule out myocardial ischemia. Additionally, the same test can detect even small myocardial infarctions and reveal microvascular coronary artery disease, which is difficult to diagnose with other methods. Moreover, the special drug administered is safer than the one used in Stress Echo, as it does not cause real myocardial ischemia. Also, cardiac MRI does not involve ionizing radiation, unlike myocardial scintigraphy.
How is the examination performed?
The examination is conducted in specialized cardiac MRI centers by trained doctors and technologists. After the initial study of the heart's anatomy and function, the cardiologist administers a special drug intravenously (adenosine or regadenoson) for a very short period, which mimics exertion. This method assesses myocardial perfusion through the redistribution of blood flow. Subsequently, a special contrast agent is administered, providing additional information about the presence of infarction scars or fibrosis areas.
How safe is the examination?
The special drug administered is generally considered safe and is used in other specialized cardiological tests (e.g., myocardial scintigraphy). It is administered by a cardiologist with extensive experience, who is present throughout the examination. Significant side effects are very rare, as the drug does not cause real myocardial ischemia, unlike the classical stress test or Stress Echo. The patient's vital signs (heart rate and frequency, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) are continuously monitored. Any adverse effects, if they occur, are mild and last for a few minutes, and there is an antidote that can be administered. After the examination, there are no restrictions; the patient can eat, drink, and resume daily activities, and there is no need to avoid contact with children or pregnant women, as it does not involve radiation.
How should the patient prepare for the examination?
The patient should abstain from consuming coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks containing caffeine for 24 hours before the examination. Also, medications containing theophylline should be discontinued before the test.
How long does the examination take?
The examination takes about 40-50 minutes. However, this time may increase if there are additional clinical questions that need to be answered during the same examination.
Can all patients undergo Stress CMR?
The vast majority of patients can undergo the examination. General contraindications for MRI apply, such as the presence of old, non-MRI-compatible pacemakers/defibrillators, certain electronic devices (insulin pumps, cochlear implants), some categories of vascular clips in the brain, metallic foreign bodies near vital organs, anaphylaxis to the contrast agent, and severe claustrophobia.
Additionally, the administration of the special vasodilator drug during Stress CMR is contraindicated in cases of severe atrioventricular block, significant sinus bradycardia (<40 beats/min), severe hypotension, or active bronchospasm.
Why should I have the examination at Affidea Central?
At Affidea Central, a specialized protocol for cardiac MRI for myocardial perfusion is conducted according to the guidelines of the European and American Society, by a cardiologist with extensive experience in this field, following many years of specialization in the United Kingdom.
