MRI with Adenosine

[tazcat123]

Hi all, I was just wondering how many of you have experienced a less than comfortable MRI with Adenosine. I was expecting the head rush, laboured breathing and raised heart rate but after the initial 30 second warning (that they were about to administer the drug), it felt like what can only describe as a truck driving over my chest. Apparently, I read somewhere that they usually infuse the drug at a particular rate for 4 minutes, but it was only around 15 seconds before I hit the panic button due to the intense pain and they stopped it. I haven't been able to talk to anyone since but did receive a report from the consultant stating that I experienced a "typical reaction". Not what I was expecting and not likely to agree to another if its needed (unless under sedation). Any thoughts?

Thanks for listening

[ZM1980]

Hi, I had an MRI with Adenosine a few years ago and experienced palpitations, a feeling of warmth/flushing sensation throughout my body, but also quite noticeable chest tightness/heavy sensation - similar to what you describe, but not as intense.

I think a lot of factors can influence your reaction to the drug and it's effects on the heart vessels - eg your energy levels, lack of sleep, anxiety, pre-existing conditions, medication, hormones, even the weather. Before the dye was administered, I was anxiously anticipating the side effects, but found they were almost bearable, although unpleasant.

I completely understand why you would be hesitant to have another one, though, but if you do, might be worth discussing your concerns with the consultant beforehand

[tazcat123 in reply to ZM1980]

Hi and thanks for the response. I completely understand what you are saying and I agree. I had done lots of research on here and on other sites before hand and was quite prepared for and even looked forward to the procedure in the hope that I would finally get a diagnosis. I can only describe it as an induced, controlled HA and to be told that it was a typical reaction threw me off slightly. I’m currently waiting for another appointment with cardiology at my local hospital and hopefully get some answers.

[ZM1980 in reply to tazcat123]

Same here - I was thinking about the benefits of the scan itself, how it would diagnose/exclude certain conditions. With me, results were indicative of Microvascular Angina.

I can imagine it must have been worrying to have symptoms to the degree you did. I agree with your description of a controlled HA - it did feel very much like that.

Good luck with your Cardiology appointment, hope all goes well

[DAVEEJG in reply to tazcat123]

Hi

I had my MRI Stress Perfusion last week. I had similar responses to yours and had to describe to them what my body was experiencing, alarm tingling, dizziness, chest tightness and breathless. The description of your experience is what they are looking for. The primary purpose of the Adenosine part of the MRI is to put your heart under stress, similar to a heart attack, under controlled circumstances. Were you not pre warned that this was the intention? To Dee how your heart and connecting blood vessels functioned under such stress. This experience is not pleasant, but necessary. The drug was referred to by a medic as the ‘doom bringer’.

I hope you get a clearer diagnosis of your symptoms at your next cardiology appointment.

[DAVEEJG in reply to DAVEEJG]

Should be see not Dee. Sorry.

[tazcat123 in reply to DAVEEJG]

Wow DAVEEJG not heard it referred to as doom bringer before. If I had, I’d probably not looked forward to it as much🤫. I’ve had a letter back stating that there was some damage to the right side but by the sound of it, it’s not if much concern. To be honest, I thought with such a violent reaction to the adenosine, the screen would have lit up like a Christmas tree. I’ve had 2 failed angiograms during this investigation which revealed a blockage on my D2 they they we’re unable to unblock completely, so I’m assuming that’s where the reaction came from. 2 weeks after the mri, I had a suspected TIA, with all the symptoms but no known cause and they are currently trying to decide if it could have been cardiac related. This is why I’m so interested in what happened during my time in the tunnel

[Ada-eve]

Hi tazcat123 I had the exact same experience as you and stopped it pretty sharpish . About 5 mins later the person doing the MRI came out and said there was a technical problem and could they do it again ! My answer No way was I going through that again . Haven’t had the full report yet .

[tazcat123 in reply to Ada-eve]

Hi Ada-eve, normally I’m full of questions about what they have just done let alone what I felt. But after this (it was about 90 minutes in all) I just got changed and left as I was still a little stunned at what just happened. It wasn’t until a short time later that I realised that I hadn’t asked them anything. I’ve been kicking myself ever since then because I don’t think I’ll be seeing the consultant again 😠, I’ve only got the report which (apart from the actual results) said I displayed a typical reaction.

[Ada-eve]

That was literally what happened to me 1 hour and 45 mins and I done the same just dressed and left feeling shell shocked . Must admit though I have read worse stories where people have been pulled out as reacted so badly . Hopefully neither of us will have to go through it again 😊