Stress Cardiac MRI in Elderly Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Ashrafpoor Golmehr, Prat-Gonzalez Susanna, Fassa Amir-Ali, Magliano Yannick, Naïmi Alain, Sztajzel Juan
Primary Institution: Geneva University Hospitals
Hypothesis
The study aims to determine the applicability and safety of stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients older than 70 years.
Conclusion
Stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is safe and well tolerated in elderly patients, with myocardial ischemia or infarction confirmed in 42% of cases.
Supporting Evidence
- 96% of patients older than 70 could undergo the stress CMR test.
- Pharmacological stress was induced with dobutamine in 33% and adenosine in 67% of patients.
- 58% of patients showed no ischemia or infarction.
- 42% of patients had confirmed myocardial ischemia or infarction.
Takeaway
Doctors can safely use a special heart test on older patients to check for heart problems, and it works well for most of them.
Methodology
Data from patients older than 70 referred for stress CMR were reviewed, assessing myocardial function and inducing pharmacological stress.
Limitations
The test could not be performed in 4% of patients due to claustrophobia and excessive thoracic diameter.
Participant Demographics
The study included 309 patients aged 70 to 91 years, with 57% being male.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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