1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Safety profile of MRI gadolinium contrast vs. CT scan with contrast

Posted by thisnthat @thisnthat, Mar 6 10:59am

Anyone else out there weighing the safety risks of MRI gadolinium-based contrast compared to CT scan with contrast used in monitoring aneurism size?
It seems in those with no renal impairment, the body can still retain gadolinium for months or even years afterwards. It deposits in the brain, bone, skin and other organs (although this was more pronounced in the older linear GBCAs, and less so with the newer macrocyclic GBCAs). It remains unclear what the ultimate effect is on brain tissue.
There is research out there supporting taking 100 mg of melatonin an hour prior to undergoing a CT scan with contrast, as this may counter radiolytic DNA damage and contrast induced oxidative stress.
My cardiologist is a big proponent of the MRI, but I am choosing the CT scan instead. What do others think? I have had both in the past, but it was my impression that the CT scan with contrast is the gold standard.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

pegsterb | @pegsterb | Mar 6 7:08pm

My cardiologist orders the CT angiogram. It's a specialized type of CT scan that uses contrast dye to highlight blood vessels and create detailed images of their structure and function. I think it is the test most commonly used to monitor aneurysms. I hadn't heard anything about taking melatonin prior to a scan. I'll have to look into that. Best wishes!!

REPLY
thisnthat | @thisnthat | Mar 6 8:20pm

Hi pegsterb, and thanks for your reply!
I hesitate to do a CT angiogram, as my father suffered a cardiac arrest during a similar procedure. Of course, that was many years ago, and such an outcome would be exceedingly rare today.
No mention of a CT angiogram was made by my doctor. I should ask!

REPLY
1 reply
pegsterb | @pegsterb | Mar 9 11:09am
In reply to @thisnthat "Hi pegsterb, and thanks for your reply! I hesitate to do a CT angiogram, as my..." + (show)
@thisnthat

Hi pegsterb, and thanks for your reply!
I hesitate to do a CT angiogram, as my father suffered a cardiac arrest during a similar procedure. Of course, that was many years ago, and such an outcome would be exceedingly rare today.
No mention of a CT angiogram was made by my doctor. I should ask!

Jump to this post

Your father was probably having a cardiac angiogram. A cardiac angiogram is more invasive. A catheter is inserted into an artery in an arm or leg and contrast dye is injected through the catheter. Xray fluoroscopy is used to monitor. They can perform an angioplasty during the procedure. A CT angiogram is contrast dye injected into a vein and a CT scanner takes the images. Less invasive. No recovery time.

REPLY
1 reply
thisnthat | @thisnthat | Mar 11 10:13am
In reply to @pegsterb "Your father was probably having a cardiac angiogram. A cardiac angiogram is more invasive. A catheter..." + (show)
@pegsterb

Your father was probably having a cardiac angiogram. A cardiac angiogram is more invasive. A catheter is inserted into an artery in an arm or leg and contrast dye is injected through the catheter. Xray fluoroscopy is used to monitor. They can perform an angioplasty during the procedure. A CT angiogram is contrast dye injected into a vein and a CT scanner takes the images. Less invasive. No recovery time.

Jump to this post

Yes, you are probably right. And I did touch base with the Radiology Dept.. Right again! The CT they scheduled is for a CT angiogram.
My cardiologist fast-tracked me to the new Aortic Center, and I am to meet with the main cardiothoracic surgeon. Methinks the referral is more to help the patient traffic to the new Aortic Center than anything else. My dilatation is on the small side.

REPLY
1 reply
pegsterb | @pegsterb | Mar 11 11:15am
In reply to @thisnthat "Yes, you are probably right. And I did touch base with the Radiology Dept.. Right again!..." + (show)
@thisnthat

Yes, you are probably right. And I did touch base with the Radiology Dept.. Right again! The CT they scheduled is for a CT angiogram.
My cardiologist fast-tracked me to the new Aortic Center, and I am to meet with the main cardiothoracic surgeon. Methinks the referral is more to help the patient traffic to the new Aortic Center than anything else. My dilatation is on the small side.

Jump to this post

I think it's nice to meet and be followed by the people that may some day be doing your surgery. You get to know them and they get to know you. They're up on all the newest treatments and medications.
A regular cardiologist is treating so many things. (blood pressure, CHF, angina and other cardiac problems)
My Aneurysm was 4.2 cm last September. I see my cardiologist April 1. I'm going to talk to him about talking to a cardiothoracic surgeon. I chose my cardiologist because I knew him when we worked together in a hospital. I trust him to do what's best for me, but I would still like the opportunity, which you are about to have, to question a cardiothoracic surgeon. I turn 71 in a few months, so I'm hoping to never have to have surgery.
Good luck with your meeting with the surgeon. Write down all your questions before you go , because sometimes these appointments go pretty quick and I'd like you to come out with the answers you need. Best wishes!!🙏

REPLY
1 reply
thisnthat | @thisnthat | Mar 11 3:22pm
In reply to @pegsterb "I think it's nice to meet and be followed by the people that may some day..." + (show)
@pegsterb

I think it's nice to meet and be followed by the people that may some day be doing your surgery. You get to know them and they get to know you. They're up on all the newest treatments and medications.
A regular cardiologist is treating so many things. (blood pressure, CHF, angina and other cardiac problems)
My Aneurysm was 4.2 cm last September. I see my cardiologist April 1. I'm going to talk to him about talking to a cardiothoracic surgeon. I chose my cardiologist because I knew him when we worked together in a hospital. I trust him to do what's best for me, but I would still like the opportunity, which you are about to have, to question a cardiothoracic surgeon. I turn 71 in a few months, so I'm hoping to never have to have surgery.
Good luck with your meeting with the surgeon. Write down all your questions before you go , because sometimes these appointments go pretty quick and I'd like you to come out with the answers you need. Best wishes!!🙏

Jump to this post

Pegsterb, I thank you for your kind wishes! It sounds like we are travelling a similar path. I, too, will be turning 71 in a few months. My aneurysm was 4.1 cm last May (up from 3.8 cm the previous year. A cardiac MRA I had done over two years ago read 3.5 cm). But maybe the growth will have slowed down.
While I am not sure meeting with a cardiothoracic surgeon is called for this early in the game, guess it will put my mind at ease to know conclusively what is the best approach. I won’t hesitate to get a second or third opinion, if circumstances warrant that.
Wishing you good luck also with your cardiologist appointment in April!
All the best. 🌺

REPLY
pegsterb | @pegsterb | Mar 11 7:54pm

We do seem to be traveling a similar path. Until I stumbled across this site, I didn't realize how many people were on it. Now we just have to figure out how to navigate it. 🙂 I think your meeting with the cardiothoracic surgeon should answer any questions you may have. I've got many questions for my cardiologist. I would like to talk to a cardiothoracic surgeon. I'd like to find one I like, just in case.
Best wishes!!!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.