Long-term clinical effects of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with coronary artery stent implantation.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the early and late effects of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on stent thrombosis and major adverse coronary events after coronary artery stent (CAS) implantation at a long-term follow-up period.

Methods: Forty-three patients (28 men, mean age 63+/-10 years) who underwent CAS implantation before MRI examination were included. MRI was performed on a 1.5-T MR-system with a phased array multicoil. An average of 1.3 stents per patient were implanted (1-4 stents). More than one MRI was performed for two patients. Patients who underwent MRI within 8 weeks after the procedure were included in the early-term group (17 patients), and those who underwent MRI after 8 weeks were included in the late-term group (26 patients).

Results: Mean follow-up period was 36+/-15 months. There was no acute or subacute stent thrombosis. Late stent thrombosis that resulted in acute myocardial infarction was observed in a patient from the early group after an operation for prostate hyperplasia 5 months after MRI, and the patient underwent percutaneous coronary artery angioplasty. De-nova lesion was observed in four patients in the early group and two patients in the late group (P=0.14). In-stent restenosis was recorded in two patients in the early group and three patients in the late group (P=0.98). Composite major adverse cardiac events (acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, death, and cerebrovascular event) were observed in seven of the early-group patients (41%), and in six of the late-group patients (23%) (P=0.20).

Conclusion: MRI can be safely performed in patients with CAS implantation both in the early and late course, and is not associated with an increased risk of major adverse clinical cardiac events at long-term follow-up.