“It is the gold standard for the detection and evaluation of myocardial ischemia and coronary artery disease, providing clinicians with valuable information on cardiac function,” emphasizes Mr. Vidalakis Eleftherios Cardiologist, Head of Cardiac Magnetic Tomography Department of Metropolitan General.

Advantages of Stress Perfusion MRI

This particular method offers multiple clinical advantages that make it an ideal choice for assessing cardiac health

• High sensitivity and specificity: It accurately detects myocardial ischemia, identifying perfusion deficits during pharmacological stress.
• Quantitative analysis of perfusion: The test provides accurate measurements of myocardial blood flow, helping clinicians distinguish between viable and non-viable tissue.
• Imaging without radiation: Unlike other imaging modalities, such as nuclear medicine and CT angiography, Stress Perfusion MRI does not use ionizing radiation, significantly reducing the risk to the patient.
• Comprehensive assessment of cardiac function: The test allows the simultaneous assessment of myocardial function, structure and perfusion in a single examination, offering a complete picture of cardiac health.

When is Stress Perfusion MRI indicated?

Stress Perfusion MRI is highly effective in specific heart health conditions:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD): The test detects ischemic heart disease early, providing diagnostic clarity and reducing the need for invasive procedures.
• Microcirculatory dysfunction: The method detects abnormalities in the microcirculation of the coronary vessels, even when other imaging techniques fail to do so.
• Myocardial viability: The test assesses the potential for recovery of the ischemic myocardium, thereby guiding clinical decisions about potential revascularization.

How is the exam done?

“The procedure involves the administration of a vasodilator agent to simulate stressful conditions, such as those that occur during physical exercise. During the test, high-resolution images of the myocardium are taken, which are then compared to the original resting scans. This comparison allows clinicians to identify areas of reduced perfusion that indicate ischemia or restricted blood flow,” he explains.

Results based on scientific data

Clinical studies confirm that Stress Perfusion MRI has a higher diagnostic accuracy compared to traditional stress tests, while offering similar efficacy to invasive coronary angiography in detecting significant coronary artery stenosis. This advanced imaging method allows early diagnosis and rational management of coronary artery disease, offering optimal treatment options to patients.

Early diagnosis and optimal care for your heart

“Stress Perfusion MRI is an extremely useful tool for modern cardiology, offering patients and physicians critical information about the state of myocardial perfusion. By early diagnosis and accurate assessment of cardiac function, this advanced technique enables early intervention, better risk management and optimal treatment planning in people with suspected or known heart disease,” concludes Mr. Vidalakis.

*At Metropolitan General’s Cardiac Magnetic Tomography department, which is certified by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), Stress Perfusion MRI is performed based on a special program with the hospital’s state-of-the-art MRI scanner, with absolute safety and expertise.