Biological Effects of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance on Human Blood Cells.
BACKGROUND
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is increasingly used for the diagnosis and management of cardiac diseases. Recent studies have reported immediate post-CMR DNA double-strand breaks in T lymphocytes. We sought to evaluate CMR-induced DNA damage in lymphocytes, alterations of blood cells, and their temporal persistence.


RESULTS
In 20 prospectively enrolled healthy men (31.4±7.9 years), blood was drawn before and after (1-2 hours, 2 days, 1 month, and 1 year) unenhanced 1.5T CMR. Blood cell counts, cell death, and activation status of lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and platelets were evaluated. The first 2-hour post-CMR were characterized by a small increase of lymphocyte B and neutrophil counts and a transient drop of total lymphocytes because of a decrease in natural killer cells. Among blood cells, only neutrophils and monocytes displayed slight and transient activation. DNA double-strand breaks in lymphocytes were quantified through flow cytometric analysis of H2AX phosphorylation (γ-H2AX). γ-H2AX intensity in T lymphocytes did not change early after CMR but increased significantly at day 2 ≤1 month before returning to baseline levels of 1-year post-CMR.


CONCLUSIONS
Unenhanced CMR is associated with minor but significant immediate blood cell alterations or activations figuring inflammatory response, as well as DNA damage in T lymphocytes observed from day 2 until the first month but disappearing at 1-year follow-up. Although further studies are required to definitely state whether CMR can be used safely, our findings already call for caution when it comes to repeat this examination within a month.
From the Department of Cardiology and Radiology, GIGA-Cardiovascular Sciences (P.L., A.N., C.D., A.H., A.G., L.J.-F.T., C.O.) and Hematology Department, University Hospital Sart Tilman (C.G., A.G.), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; and Gruppo Villa Maria Care and Research, E.S. Health Science Foundation, Lugo (RA), Italy (P.L.). plancellotti@chu.ulg.ac.be.
Patrizio
P
Lancellotti
From the Department of Cardiology and Radiology, GIGA-Cardiovascular Sciences (P.L., A.N., C.D., A.H., A.G., L.J.-F.T., C.O.) and Hematology Department, University Hospital Sart Tilman (C.G., A.G.), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; and Gruppo Villa Maria Care and Research, E.S. Health Science Foundation, Lugo (RA), Italy (P.L.).
Alain
A
Nchimi
From the Department of Cardiology and Radiology, GIGA-Cardiovascular Sciences (P.L., A.N., C.D., A.H., A.G., L.J.-F.T., C.O.) and Hematology Department, University Hospital Sart Tilman (C.G., A.G.), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; and Gruppo Villa Maria Care and Research, E.S. Health Science Foundation, Lugo (RA), Italy (P.L.).
Céline
C
Delierneux
From the Department of Cardiology and Radiology, GIGA-Cardiovascular Sciences (P.L., A.N., C.D., A.H., A.G., L.J.-F.T., C.O.) and Hematology Department, University Hospital Sart Tilman (C.G., A.G.), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; and Gruppo Villa Maria Care and Research, E.S. Health Science Foundation, Lugo (RA), Italy (P.L.).
Alexandre
A
Hego
From the Department of Cardiology and Radiology, GIGA-Cardiovascular Sciences (P.L., A.N., C.D., A.H., A.G., L.J.-F.T., C.O.) and Hematology Department, University Hospital Sart Tilman (C.G., A.G.), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; and Gruppo Villa Maria Care and Research, E.S. Health Science Foundation, Lugo (RA), Italy (P.L.).
Christian
C
Gosset
From the Department of Cardiology and Radiology, GIGA-Cardiovascular Sciences (P.L., A.N., C.D., A.H., A.G., L.J.-F.T., C.O.) and Hematology Department, University Hospital Sart Tilman (C.G., A.G.), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; and Gruppo Villa Maria Care and Research, E.S. Health Science Foundation, Lugo (RA), Italy (P.L.).
André
A
Gothot
From the Department of Cardiology and Radiology, GIGA-Cardiovascular Sciences (P.L., A.N., C.D., A.H., A.G., L.J.-F.T., C.O.) and Hematology Department, University Hospital Sart Tilman (C.G., A.G.), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; and Gruppo Villa Maria Care and Research, E.S. Health Science Foundation, Lugo (RA), Italy (P.L.).
Luaba
L
Jean-Flory Tshibanda
From the Department of Cardiology and Radiology, GIGA-Cardiovascular Sciences (P.L., A.N., C.D., A.H., A.G., L.J.-F.T., C.O.) and Hematology Department, University Hospital Sart Tilman (C.G., A.G.), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; and Gruppo Villa Maria Care and Research, E.S. Health Science Foundation, Lugo (RA), Italy (P.L.).
Cécile
C
Oury
D000328:Adult; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000528:radiation effects*; D053903:DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
DNA damage; blood cells; cell death; flow cytometry; lymphocytes