Patient Information

Patient Information

Before the examination

Before the examination, we will explain the procedure and possible associated risks to you. We ask about your previous medical history in addition to previous surgeries and allergies, amongst others. If you suffer from claustrophobia, we can give you medication to calm you down to make the examination manageable, provided you are accompanied by a guardian afterwards.

It would be helpful if you could bring all documents from preliminary examinations with you.

Directly before the examination, you will be asked to remove all metal objects. This includes credit cards, watches, jewelry, keys, hearing aids and small change/coins. The magnetic field can attract these materials and cause serious injuries. Also, the image quality will be reduced.

You should also therefore avoid clothing items such as pants with metal zippers, bras with underwires, jackets, vests, and hoodies/pullovers.

It is important that you do not consume any caffeinated foods or beverages 24 hours before your stress-MRI including coffee (even decaffeinated), black, green, or white tea, cocoa, or chocolate products as well as Coca-Cola and any energy drinks! You can take your medication (including Beta-blockers) as usual before the examination.

During the examination

Stickers with electrocardiogram (ECG) leads will be applied to you on the examination table. The ECG helps create an image of the beating heart/collect information about your heartbeats and breathing. A surface coil is also placed on the upper body which processes the received signal.

Some MRI examinations will require a well-tolerated, non-iodinated contrast medium and/or medication (stress-MRI examinations) for better visualization. Both are administered via venous (IV) access. You will be informed about the appropriate preparation when the appointment is made.

During the examination we will ask you to hold your breath several times. This serves to improve the image quality since breathing movements can blur the image and make diagnosis difficult.

After the examination

After the examination, you are usually allowed to go home without further observation. However, if you have been given a sedative because of claustrophobia, you must refrain from driving or operating any machinery for 24 hours after the examination and must be taken home accompanied by a guardian.

Ultimately, nerve stimulation may also occur due to electromagnetic impulses (peripheral nerve stimulation). In extremely rare cases, the examination may cause tingling or slight muscle twitching.