Dallas
214-456-2333
Fax: 214-456-2714
Plano
469-303-4300
Fax: 469-303-4310
Prosper
972-331-9700
Fax: 972-331-9833
Request an Appointment with codes: Cardiology (Heart Center)
Pediatric cardiac MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures of your child’s heart and blood vessels. With a pediatric cardiac MRI stress test, our doctors at Children's Health℠ will give your child medication to speed up their heart rate. We use this test to see how well your child’s heart works during exercise and exertion.
Children's Health℠ is the only center in Dallas with a dedicated, full-time pediatric cardiac MRI team and scanner. We use the most up-to-date-technology to ensure that we get the best information for your child’s care.
214-456-2333
Fax: 214-456-2714
469-303-4300
Fax: 469-303-4310
972-331-9700
Fax: 972-331-9833
Request an Appointment with codes: Cardiology (Heart Center)
A pediatric cardiac MRI stress test is an imaging test. We do cardiac MRI stress tests with machines that have heart-specific equipment and software. We also use specific medications that help elevate your child’s heart rate during the test.
Doctors mostly use cardiac MRI tests to diagnose congenital heart diseases, which are heart disorders that some children are born with.
We also use cardiac MRI to identify any heart problems your child may have developed after birth, too, such as:
The pictures from a cardiac MRI show doctors any abnormal tissue in your child’s heart. They can also help doctors better understand results from other imaging tests your child has had, such as chest X-rays and chest CT scans.
Cardiac MRI stress tests help your child’s doctor see how these problems affect your child’s heart during exercise. This information can help doctors understand whether your child’s heart can cope well with the demands of physical or emotional exertion.
Your child may need a pediatric cardiac MRI stress test to help us evaluate their heart function and performance while under stress. This information is especially important if your child experiences coronary artery issues (problems with blood supply to the heart muscle).
Most types of cardiac imaging, such as cardiac MRI, CT or echocardiography, tell us how well your child’s heart works when they are resting. Stress MRI tells us how well your child’s heart copes with exertions such as walking, climbing stairs, playing, feeding or experiencing extreme emotions.
A cardiac MRI stress test is a safe test, but your child may experience minor side effects, such as:
If your child has asthma, please tell your child’s doctor or care team so we can use a different medication.
A cardiac MRI stress test has few risks, and some important things to keep in mind include:
Our specialty-trained pediatric MRI technologists, MRI cardiologists and radiologists perform your child’s cardiac MRI stress test. These experts will help you prepare your child before the test. Your child’s cardiologist will interpret the results and explain them to you.
The cardiac MRI stress test usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour. The actual stress portion of the test will last only between 3 to 10 minutes.
Your child will need one or two IVs placed for the procedure, which will deliver the medication to raise their heart rate. Your child’s care team may also want to use a contrast dye to highlight the heart and blood vessels. You should prepare your child for this experience ahead of time if it is required for their procedure.
Your child may feel discomfort from the IV needle or a cool sensation as the contrast dye goes in. Make sure to let your child’s care team know if they have asthma or allergies to contrast material or use an inhaler.
The MRI machine looks like a large tunnel or donut. Your child must lie still on a table that will move into the machine.
Your child may hear loud sounds from inside the machine as the MRI team takes pictures of their heart and chest. Your child will wear ear protectors and can listen to music or watch a movie during the test to distract from these sounds. They will also be able to hear and talk to the technician while they are inside the machine. The technician may ask your child to hold their breath for a few seconds during the MRI.
The doctor will let your child know when they are starting the medication through the IV. When they start this medication, your child’s heart rate will be higher than usual, so they may feel some discomfort during this portion. This part will not last more than a few minutes.
One of the cardiologists will be in the room with your child through the stress portion of the test. Two other cardiologists and a nurse will be actively and closely monitoring your child’s breathing, heart rate and blood pressure.
During and after the test, the MRI team will verify all the images. We monitor your child until their heart rate returns to normal and they feel ready to go home, after which we remove the IV and bandage the site. This recovery time usually takes about 15 minutes.
Your child’s cardiologist and MRI team will help explain the images and next steps.
Before the MRI stress test, make sure to explain why the scan is needed, what it will feel like and how long it will take to your child. Your child’s care team will also provide specific instructions about what your child should eat, drink and do leading up to the test.
Because the MRI uses a magnetic field, make sure to take any jewelry or hair clips off your child before the procedure. You will also want to ensure that any stuffed animals or toys they take with them do not have any metal parts.
Our Child Life therapists are available to help make sure your child feels calm and confident before, during and after the test. They provide emotional support animals, music and other tools to keep children relaxed and comfortable.
You may go into the MRI room with your child to help comfort them, but you will also need to be screened for metal objects and implanted devices.
Children may benefit from a cardiac MRI stress test if they:
Our cardiologists may perform a cardiac MRI stress test to clear children with these conditions for sports participation at school or college.
Adenosine and dobutamine are the common stress medications we use.
We use short-acting medications, which act only as long as they are being given through the IV. Adenosine lasts only 6 seconds, and dobutamine lasts for 15 minutes after the medications are stopped. The medications have no long-term side effects.
A stress echocardiogram or nuclear stress perfusion tests are other options. The stress MRI has the added advantage of providing more information than the other types.