What does it mean if the injection given during the test has hardly any effect?

[Alessandra1949]

Stress perfusion Cardiac MRI question

[Hidden]

Hi Alessandra1949,

I have Microvascular Angina and have had a stress perfusion MRI myself, and after a fair bit of reading on the subject it is my understanding that patients with MVA have a large pain response to the test whereas those who do not have MVA experience either mild discomfort or no pain. The fact that you couldn't feel any effect doesn't mean that nothing has shown up on the scan however, so I would wait for the results.

Good luck!

[Alessandra1949 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, MintTea. I was braced for all kinds of alarming symptoms, but apart from sensations in my arm, there was almost nothing. Hopefully the results (when I get to see them) will be as positive. Best wishes to you.

[jerry12953 in reply to Hidden]

I'm not sure what you were expecting but surely the injection is used to make the workings of the heart more visible to the scanner? Or have I got that wrong?

[Hidden in reply to jerry12953]

In a stress scan two chemicals are injected; one to make the vessels visible to the scanner and one to make your heart think it's working hard even though you're lying down!