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Nuclear Cardiology (Myocardial Perfusion Imaging)
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging stress test is done in the Cardiology Department. The test involves an ejection of a small amount of radioactive material (also called a tracer) circulates in the bloodstream and shows if your heart muscle is receiving adequate blood supply under stress and/or rest conditions.
How is the test performed:
The test usually consists of two parts, after exercising and under resting conditions. There are many variations for performing the test. The entire test may be completed in one day or in two separate days. You will be informed if the exercise or rest portion will be done first. The tracer will be administered by injection during peak exercise and once again while you are at rest. As in a regular stress test, ECG electrodes will be attached to your chest. This will allow your physician to monitor your heart rate before, during, and after you have exercised. A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm to monitor your blood pressure before, during and after exercise. Additionally, an intravenous (I.V.) line will be place in your hand or arm vein to allow for ease of the tracer injection. The I.V. will be removed when the exam is completed. The exercise part of the exam is usually done with a treadmill, very similar to a treadmill used at a health club. Exercising will begin slowly, and approximately every three minutes, the pace will gradually increase. As you exercise, your heart rate and blood pressure will change. This is normal and remember, you are being closely monitored throughout the exam. At your peak exercise, the tracer will be injected into the I.V., and you will be asked to continue exercising for an additional one or two minutes. Approximately fifteen to thirty minutes after the exercise is complete pictures will be taken of your heart using a special camera that is able to see the tracer that has localized in your heart. You will be asked to lie down on a special table. The camera will rotate above and around your chest while special pictures are being taken, which will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete. You may breathe normally while the pictures are being taken. It is very important that you hold very still while the camera takes the pictures of your heart. A set of resting pictures are also required, these pictures can be taken before or after the stress test. The resting pictures are taken in the same manner as the exercise’s pictures.
Patient Preparations for Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (Stress & Pharmacologic)
Do not eat or drink anything for three to six hours prior to your test. The length of the time you need to fast will depend upon whether your test is done in one day or scheduled over a two-day period. If you are taking medications, please bring a list of all medications, dosage, and how often they are taken.
It is up to your physician to decide whether you should stop taking any medication prior to the test. If you are instructed to continue taking your medications, only a small sip of water should be consumed. If you are a diabetic on insulin or oral hypoglycemic medications, please contact your physician for special instructions. NO caffeine or dairy products should be consumed after midnight. This includes chocolate, coffee, tea, soft drinks and even those beverages labeled “caffeine free” (since these products have traces of caffeine in them). NO medications that contain caffeine should be taken after midnight. Some of these medications include Anacin, Excedrin, NoDoz, Fiorinal, Cafergot, Darvon, etc.
If you have a history of wheezing, asthma, or chronic lung disease (such as emphysema), please contact your physician for specific instructions. If you use a respiratory inhaler or take medications containing any form of Theophylline (some of these medications include Constant-T, Primatene, Quibron, Elixophyllin, Slo-Bid, Slo-Phylline, or Theo-dur, etc.), your physician will need to know this, as well, so he or she can provide specific instructions. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Do not apply any creams, lotions or powder to your chest area on the day of your test.
Pharmacologic Stress Test
What happens if I am unable to exercise?
Some people, due to a variety of disabilities, are unable to exercise adequately enough on a treadmill machine to achieve a diagnostic test result. In these cases, your physician may decide to use a drug to mimic the effect of exercise on the heart (pharmacological stress). Drugs that mimic exercise on a treadmill are commonly used for this purpose.
Patient Preparations for a Pharmacologic Stress Test:
Same Patient Preparations as Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
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