- As the scanner consists of a powerful magnet, it may attract certain metallic objects. You must not have a scan if you have had metallic objects or medical devices (e.g. pacemaker) inserted into your body during an operation.
- The scan involves lying flat in a slightly confined space and a small number of people find this too claustrophobic.
- If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, you should not take part because the MRI and gadolinium used in this study may harm an unborn or nursing baby.
- Gadolinium contrast dye is used for CMR and may occasionally cause headache, mild rash and very rarely a more severe allergic reaction. In people with healthy kidneys, gadolinium is removed from the bloodstream within a few hours. We will check your kidneys before we start if you are at risk of kidney disease and have not had your kidney function tested recently.
- Some people find the cannula (plastic tube) in the arm uncomfortable, and there can be bruising at the site of needle entry.
- In rare cases the ECG sticky pads can lead to skin irritation.