Prognostic Value of Adenosine Stress Perfusion Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Older Adults with Known or Suspected Coronary Artery Disease

Background: There is limited data on the prognostic value of stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in older adults. Objective: To determine the prognostic value of adenosine stress CMR in older individuals with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Between 2010 and 2015, consecutive patients aged 65 years or older referred for adenosine stress CMR were followed for the occurrence of severe cardiac events (cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) that also included hospitalization for heart failure and ischemic stroke. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the prognostic value of myocardial ischemia, with p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: After a mean follow-up period of 50.4 months in 324 patients (48% male, 73 +/- 7 years), 21 severe cardiac events and 52 MACE occurred. Patients with myocardial ischemia (n=99) had significantly higher rates of severe cardiac events (HR 5.25 [95% CI 2.11-13.04], p<0.001) and MACE (HR 3.01 [95% CI 1.75-5.20], p<0.001) than those without ischemia. Multivariable analysis determined ischemia as an independent predictor of severe cardiac events (HR 3.14 [95% CI 1.22-8.07], p=0.02) and MACE (HR 1.91 [95%CI 1.02-3.59], p=0.04). Ischemia provided an incremental prognostic value over clinical factors and left ventricular ejection fraction for predicting severe cardiac events and MACE (p<0.01 for both). No severe adverse events occurred during or immediately after CMR examinations. Conclusion: Adenosine stress CMR is safe and has prognostic value in older adults with known or suspected CAD.