Magnetic Resonance Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: Safety and Indications in Pediatrics and Young Adults

The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and indications for cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in a cohort of children and young adults. A retrospective review of 178 children and young adults who underwent CMR with MPI was performed. Studies were categorized based on study protocols as MPI with resting perfusion only, adenosine stress MPI, exercise-induced stress MPI, and MPI for cardiac mass diagnosis. Relevant clinical history, exam indications, and adverse reactions following gadolinium-based contrast agent and adenosine administration were recorded. Studies were reviewed for the presence of myocardial perfusion defects, wall motion abnormalities, and delayed myocardial enhancement. The most common indications from MPI were congenital heart disease (CHD), Kawasaki disease, anomalous coronary artery, or myocardial mass characterization. Of these, 51% were protocoled with adenosine stress, 23% without stress, 6% with exercise stress, and 20% for cardiac mass evaluation. Excluding patients for myocardial mass evaluation, MPI defects were present in 16% (14 with adenosine stress, 1 with exercise stress, 8 on resting studies only). For cardiac mass evaluation, a mass was confirmed in 58%. No adverse reactions occurred with intravenous administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent. Three self-limited adverse reactions, 2 patients with chest pain, and 1 patient with bradycardia, occurred following adenosine administration. MPI is a safe modality for the evaluation of pediatric and young adults with minimal adverse events. The most common indications for MPI were for the evaluation of CHD, Kawasaki disease, anomalous coronary artery, or myocardial mass characterization.