NSVT question about MRI

[poohbear2026]

Hi all,

I am back again.  I am currently wearing the King of hearts monitor.  Yesterday I had an episode of NSVT, or wide complex tachardia (5 beats).  I had an appointment with an electraphysioligist at Duke today.  He has reassured me that will all the test I have had I have a structurally normal heart and so they are probably all benign and I am at a very low risk for any bad arrhythmias.  He is however scheduling me for some kind of special MRI of the heart next month.  He says if that does not show any scar tissue he will not need to do an EP study. So I am praying it comes back normal and I don't have any side effects from the stuff they have to put in me for the contrast. Has anyone had this kind of MRI?  Also he is starting me on Metroprolol (not sure if spelled correctly) has anyone taken this?

Thanks so much!

[Wisconsin2007]

I think the issue there is that one can cause a buildup of the other which could lead to toxicity.  But I believe that's easy to monitor.

[poohbear2026]

Thank you, I feel better about the MRI.  I just freak out about anything with my heart.  I am still trying to decide what beta blocker to take. Everything I read says Paxil and beta blockers don't do so well together for the heart.

[Wisconsin2007]

I think the reactions, even though they are rare, are seen when the IV contrast for CT scans is used, not the contrast for MRI's, which is a different kind of contrast because the MRI works in a completely different way - an MRI excites the hydrogen atoms in your body, and that is what is picked up in the images.  A CT is more like an x-ray.  So don't sweat the contrast.

[Jerry_NJ]

Your spelling of Metoprolol is correct.  

I have not had an MRI, but I have had my heart shot full of stuff via the veins, for nuclear stress tests and, and directly for cardio catheter examinations.  Far as I know, nothing bad has come of those injections.... however, I continue to suffer from AFib (which is part of the reason for the subject tests and others).