Qualifications for a free Cardiac MRI:

The Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Laboratory division of C-TRAIN, located at Washington University School of Medicine, is currently seeking volunteers with a history of heart disease for several clinical research trials that use MRI to image the heart and cardiovascular system.

Guidelines:

Subjects must have a history of one or more of the following:
  • Heart Attack
  • Coronary Artery Disease (Heart Disease)
  • Congenital Heart Disease
  • Disorder of the Heart Valve(s)
  • Chronic (Congestive) Heart Failure
  • Rhythm Problem of the Heart (Arrhythmia)
  • Diabetes
Some Subjects with High Cardiac Risk Factors may by included (strong family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, and smokers). Subjects excluded from participation in CMRL research include:
  • Persons with a high level of claustrophobia
  • Pregnant Women
  • Nursing Women
  • Persons with surgically implanted aneurysm clips
  • Persons with a permanent pacemaker device
  • Persons with an AICD device (Automated Internal Cardiac Defibrillator)
  • Persons with certain other implanted devices
  • Persons with metal inside of their body may or may not be excluded
  • Persons on specific medications
The time commitment for each study will be apporximately 1 - 2 hours. All subjects will be required to answer a safety questionnaire prior to their MRI exam. Some subjects may be reimbursed for their time, depending on the specific research trial. All subjects will receive their MRI at no cost.

If you are interested, please contact:
Tammie Donahue at (314) 454-8397, or by email at tammie_at_cmrl.wustl.edu



ACR Screening Recommendations on Gadolinium-Based MR Contrast Agents, Renal Disease Patients, and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)
The ACR Contrast Committee and the Subcommittee for MR Safety members now recommends, as of July 2007, pre-screening patients prior to the administration of Gadolinium-Based MR Contrast Agents (GBMCA).

It is recommended that prior to elective Gadolinium Based MR Contrast Agent (GBMCA) administration, a recent (e.g., last 6 weeks) Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) assessment be reviewed for patients with a history of:
  • Renal disease (including solitary kidney, renal transplant, renal tumor)
  • Age >60
  • History of Hypertension
  • History of Diabetes
  • History of severe hepatic disease/liver transplant/pending liver transplant. For patients in this category only, it is recommended that the patient's GFR assessment be nearly contemporaneous with the MR examination for which the GBMCA is to be administered.

Copyright C-TRAIN 2007