Perfusion MRI

[Myflowers2]

I have a perfusion MRI next week I am terrified to go. Apart from the long journey from East Sussex to Brompton Hospital in London. Which I am really stressing about.I am worried when they raise my heart beat I will go back to A F. . And is it dangerous to have it done if you don't need it.

[BobD Volunteer]

Royal Brompton would not be doing it if they did not think it important to discover what condition your heart is in. What will be will be but even if t does trigger AF you are in the very best hands.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

This year following 3 suspisious calcified areas in my 4th year post thyroidectomy, I have undergone CT scan with iodine dye, PET scan with R.A.Iodine infusion (from Australia) and another 6 mths later CT Scan with iodine dye. Interesting the Radiologists had 8 secs after inserting the dye to take pictures!

They will ask if you have an allergy to the dye.

I drunk plenty of water the night prior and before with the CT scans.

With the PET scan I could drink water up to.

And drink plenty after.

The MRI of Pituitary Gland had n contrast.

The contrast is to see the intake in and out of the bodies' muscles or other structures.

They stay with you in CT Scan sorry can't remember with MRI. Not in the PET Scan.

You can ask for sedation but I want to know when I go into the tunnel and I shut my eyes. You get music and can say what music you want Enya no but Elvis, Jackson Yes. You get ear plugs and ear phones. Instructions come through the speakers as the music does.

Relax and dream of something nice and soon they will say "All finished".

cherio JOY 75. (NZ)

[Qualipop in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

You are also given a button to press to let hem know if you can't stand it and need to come out.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Qualipop]

Hi

Yes, of course I forgot about that Qualipop.

Just close your eyes is best and dream of something nice works.

cheri jOY

[HGates]

I’ve had this done at Brompton Hospital & like you was terrified it would put me back in AF as I’d only had a cardioversion 2 months before. Luckily it didn’t. When I had it done in 2018 it took place in a small outbuilding to the rear of the hospital. For anyone vaguely claustrophobic (like me) MRIs aren’t pleasant as it is but being in that tunnel having your heart rate artificially increased is not much fun. I was fairly vocal about my concerns over ending up in AF again. On the plus side it didn’t last too long & it is a very thorough way of checking the heart. Also you get to hold the ‘panic button’ & they will pause if it all gets a bit much. I got sent by an NHS cardiologist because my ECG was showing slight Right Axis Deviation. Seems this isn’t uncommon in tall, slim people & other cardiologist/EPs had ignored it but she wanted to make sure all was in order. Thankfully it was.

[Myflowers2 in reply to HGates]

Thanks for replying. How long is the whole procedure. My letter says about 1- 2 hours. The internet says 4 hours.

[HGates in reply to Myflowers2]

The letter is accurate. Mine took about an hour & a half in total. First you see the nurse to have the cannulas put in your arms & then straight into the MRI room. For me there was an issue getting the 2nd cannula in (I have difficult veins) & after 3 attempts she & the doctor agreed one cannula would be fine. That wasn’t the best of starts to reducing my stress levels. Although I’ve now had MRIs for other things, that was my very first. I was panicking about getting to the bit where they speed up the heart so found the breath holding for the standard imaging early on much harder because of the anxiety. Tbh most of the MRI is like any other & the speeding of the heart only lasts for a very short time & in itself is not horribly unpleasant. It’s the anxiety about going into AF that makes everything so much worse. I can advise you to try & stay calm but am well aware how difficult that is!

[Myflowers2 in reply to HGates]

Thanks for that. I feel a lot easier now. I had a stress test a while ago but not in the MRI scanner. They injected the stuff and ultra sounded me. I thought my neck would burst with the raised heart beat that's what I am scared of. Also holding your breath it always seems a long time when they do that. . When they raise your heart beat is it very long ?

[HGates in reply to Myflowers2]

No not long at all. Can’t remember exactly but I think just a minute or 2. Afraid I was a bit of a nightmare patient & vocalised my panic during the whole scan. Was half expecting to be told I’d need a repeat as didn’t do things correctly enough! Thankfully, they got what they needed.

[Dudtbin]

its not a pleasant experience but much easier than i anticipated. The worst for me was they couldn’t get the cánula in! It’s a weird feeling but not for long and they are monitoring all the time and talking to reassure. It’s the gold standard of heart tests and now when i get panicky about anything i think its ok because the test resulte were good.

[Myflowers2 in reply to Dudtbin]

Thank you